News Japanese company provides repatriation services for foreigners passing away in Japan

[thomas]

A bit of a macabre topic:

As Japan is experiencing a growing number of foreign tourists and workers, an increasing number of foreign nationals pass away in the country. In response, companies specializing in repatriation services play a crucial role in assisting bereaved families navigate the complex and often unfamiliar processes. Toudaisha, a Tokyo-based company that handles the repatriation of deceased individuals, is one such example. "Bereaved families are already deeply grieving," explains President Shuhei Matsuki, "and they are further burdened by the challenges of dealing with language barriers, religious differences, and cultural nuances in a foreign country.

An American man in his 60s, who came to Japan as a tourist with his wife, died in November. He suffered a heart attack while visiting the island of Shodoshima. That same night, still shaken by her husband's death, the wife called Toudaisha. Matsuki, who took the call, assured her that he would take care of everything. Matsuki placed an empty casket in a vehicle and left Tokyo the same evening. He arrived the next morning to collect the body, paying hospital fees and filling out the death report on the widow's behalf. The following day, the body arrived in Tokyo for cremation. The wife, who had left the country, was constantly updated throughout the process through photos, from the placing of lilies and chrysanthemums in the casket to the cremation, and finally the arrival of the urn at Tokyo's Narita Airport. The cremated remains arrived at Los Angeles International Airport in late November. From there, the urn was delivered safely to the widow.

In 2023, 9,051 foreign nationals died in Japan, a 30% increase from a decade ago. This surge follows a consistent upward trend, with foreign deaths exceeding 7,000 for the first time in 2017. This surge coincides with a steep rise in both foreign residents and tourists. In December 2023, 3.41 million foreign residents lived in Japan, a 60% increase from the previous decade.

The cost to transport a body that has not been cremated out of Japan starts from 800,000 yen ($5,067). Shipping costs for cremated remains are between 300,000 yen to 600,000 yen. Some families prefer to bury the remains in Japan for religious reasons, according to Toudaisha. Last year, Toudaisha handled 24 shipments of bodies overseas. The number has jumped to 44 instances this year through Dec. 14. The destinations included the U.S., South Korea, Belgium, Latvia, Bangladesh and Cameroon.

Paywall alert:

Japanese company offers remains repatriation service as foreign deaths rise

Toudaisha takes extra steps to help grieving families as fatalities hit record

asia.nikkei.com

 

[Lothor]

For when the time comes, here's the website of an established English-speaking company.

Home - Funeral Support Services

Providing support for funeral professionals and the expat community in Japan.

funeralsupport.co.jp

 

[johnnyG]

My plan is a simple cremation, then some token bit of my ashes sprinkled (illegally), where I requested that to be done.

(The rest can go in the family grave here, or the trash--better than being somehow sent to the US.)

 

[Grandpa Frank]

I want my ashes put in a 2 liter bottle of Pepsi placed in my living room where I can watch TV. I'm hoping they have WIFI and the internet in Heaven so I can still check on JREF.

That's if I make it there , LOL.

 

[thomas]

My plan is a simple cremation, then some token bit of my ashes sprinkled (illegally), where I requested that to be done.

(The rest can go in the family grave here, or the trash--better than being somehow sent to the US.)

I told my wife to sprinkle my ashes in the Tamagawa.

 

[Lothor]

I'd like mine scattered on a hill near Manchester. I hope Mrs Lother doesn't sign up for those exploitative memorial ceremonies on different numbers of daya after my death, but I fear she will.

 

[mdchachi]

I told my wife to sprinkle my ashes

My default is still the burial route. Besides that being tradition in the U.S. (for my family anyway), I kind of don't want to destroy all my source code (DNA).

I'd like mine scattered on a hill near Manchester. I hope Mrs Lother doesn't sign up for those exploitative memorial ceremonies on different numbers of daya after my death, but I fear she will.

It's a good reason to get the family together though. At least my wife has used it as a reason to go back to Japan more regularly. (Not the ceremonies based on days but the ones based on years.)

 

[Grandpa Frank]

My wife's big on knitting and quilting , LOL.

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

I told my wife to sprinkle my ashes in the Tamagawa.

Scattering ashes in the Tama River is legally permissible if the remains have been reduced to powder. However, since many rivers in Japan are used as sources of domestic water, scattering ashes is generally challenging. Additionally, the primary component of human remains, calcium phosphate, does not dissolve easily in water. Therefore, even if the location holds sentimental value, scattering ashes in rivers should be avoided.

It is illegal to directly release cremated remains into a river. Under Article 190 of the Penal Code, this constitutes "abandonment of a corpse," punishable by imprisonment for up to three years. Even scattering unprocessed cremated remains in a river is considered abandonment of remains and carries the same penalty, so caution is necessary.

Furthermore, some regions have specific ordinances regarding scattering ashes. Carelessly scattering ashes may violate these regulations and lead to significant issues. Therefore, it is essential to conduct thorough research before proceeding with any scattering of ashes.

For ocean scattering, it is not allowed near fishing grounds, aquaculture areas, or swimming beaches, so the scattering must take place offshore. Even in this case, the remains must be reduced to powder.

 

[thomas]

Nagashima-san, thank you for the fascinating info! In my home country, cremated human bone fragments are pulverised without exception, while in Japan, they aren't. I wouldn't like my wife to face imprisonment, so more thorough planning is required.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

The placement is a bit off , LOL.