You can’t die in Tokyo? Why are cremation fees 15 times higher than neighboring areas?

When a person dies in Japan, their body must be cremated. In Tokyo, however, cremation costs have risen so much that it has become difficult to pay funeral fees. Why is this happening only in Tokyo?

In almost all cases in Japan, the deceased are cremated and their remains are placed in a grave. However, as it is not a legal requirement, the remains can be buried as they are, but permission is required from the local authority where the burial is to occur. There are quite a few municipalities that grant this permission, and in urban areas such as Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, cremation is mandatory in these areas as burials are prohibited.

This is where cremation costs are of concern. The cost of cremation in the 23 wards of Tokyo, i.e. the central area of Tokyo, is currently 90,000 yen. Considering that it was 59,000 yen in 2021, it is evident that the cost has risen rapidly.

In neighboring areas, for example in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, the price is 6,000 yen, which is as much as 15 times lower. In the same Tokyo area, suburban cities such as Tachikawa and Fuchu are free. This shows that prices are rising due to a completely different factor from rising costs. Do you know why this is?

Due to price increases by Chinese companies

There are nine crematoriums in the 23 wards of Tokyo, seven of which are private companies, and the rule is that these companies can set the prices. This is where a Chinese company spotted the problem and bought up these crematoriums, causing the prices to rise dramatically.

Can we get a competing company?

In other industries, if you raise the prices to this level, the competition would come along and lower the prices, but crematoriums are problematic, as they are not easy to build.

It is not easy to build a new crematorium because they are prone to protests by residents in the area where it is to be built. Therefore, those who have taken the market share win. In effect, they have no choice but to do as they are told because cremation is mandatory.

The current law in Japan does not allow for price regulation, but this means that they can only do as they say if they raise prices even further. Yes, dying in Tokyo also costs big money, and Chinese companies have become the sole winners.

There is no other way but to amend the law or for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to cooperate with the residents to build a public crematorium.

This situation makes it a city where one cannot even die in peace. Even though are not breaking the law, are these companies going too far?

ABE KENGO

• Japan
• japo