Tokyo – In a stark reflection of Japan’s rapidly aging and increasingly isolated population, approximately 42,000 bodies went unclaimed across the country in fiscal year 2023, according to a government-commissioned study. These bodies, either cremated or buried by local authorities, highlight the growing social challenges tied to the rise of elderly people living alone without family support.
The report, the first of its kind and commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, revealed that most municipalities lack clear protocols for handling unclaimed remains. Out of around 1,160 municipalities surveyed by the Japan Research Institute, only 11.3% reported having an established procedure, while 43.5% said they had none. Many others admitted they rely on practices from other regions.
Local authorities are also grappling with the risk of relatives coming forward to claim remains only after cremation has taken place, complicating matters further.
The nearly 42,000 unclaimed bodies in 2023 accounted for 2.7% of all deaths that year. With Japan’s aging population, the number is expected to rise sharply in the years ahead. According to the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, by 2050, nearly half of Japan’s households—about 44.3% or 23.3 million—will consist of just one person.
Some municipalities are already taking proactive measures. For instance, Yokosuka, a city near Tokyo, has operated a program since 2015 that helps low-income elderly residents without dependents establish contracts with funeral homes. Through this initiative, the city monitors the well-being of participants and contacts relevant parties upon their passing, ensuring their final arrangements are handled with dignity.
As Japan continues to confront the social realities of an aging society, the need for systematic approaches to end-of-life care and posthumous arrangements is becoming increasingly urgent.