Japan is a country that is facing a population aging faster than almost any other region of the world. As a result of this aging the nation has faced an increasing shortage of crematoriums, the preferred method of body disposal among Japanese, which has lead to the need for special locations to keep the corpses until a crematorium is found. Known as “corpse hotels,” these business has popped up all over the nation including residential neighborhoods. As a result, disputes have arisen between the businesses and their neighbors ranging from desires for special ventilation to be installed to general distaste for what amounts to a funeral home being opened next door. However, those with deceased loved ones have been strong in their support for the establishments since it can take over a week to find an available crematorium which would have otherwise left families in a lurch. But as the elderly population of Japan grows, the country will need to take steps to ensure that the ability to handle the dead keep up with the need.
See, Japan’s corpse hotels upset some of the neighbors, AOL.com, April 29, 2016.
