Crematorium Shortage in Japan: Some Morbid Facts
In a country where annual deaths are projected to rise 1.7 million by the year 2040, a rapidly aging Japan faces a shortage of crematoriums.
According to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, annual deaths in Japan rose to 1.1 million in 2007 and nearly all were cremated.
It is expected that deaths will rise annually to 1.7 million by 2040, which is far beyond what Japan’s 4,900 crematoriums can handle.
Due to high land costs and cultural taboos, expanding the number of crematoriums is no easy task; few Japanese would welcome a crematorium going up next door.
Nagoya’s Yagoto Cemetery has been struggling for the last nine years to build a second crematorium, but opposition from neighbors has blocked construction of the 30-furnace facility.
A non-profit, philanthropic group, the Nippon Foundation, has come to the rescue with a unique solution.
Their idea is to build “floating crematoriums”, ships that could incinerate remains at sea.
Will this ever be a reality?
Only time will tell.
(Link)
By MDeeDubroff on 16-10-2008
Comment by Come on light my fire
October 17th, 2008 at 1:10 am
Well crematorium ships are certainley an option, but why not use a natural resource? I suggest using active volcanos. Quick easy and you don’t have to worry about scattering the ashes. Only difficulty would be finding a stable enough active volcano to do so, logistics, how to get large numbers of corpses to the open part econmically and safely etc.
First btw.
Comment by McGooglykins
October 17th, 2008 at 9:56 am
gives a new meaning to the term ‘ghost ship’
Comment by Jil Edwards
October 17th, 2008 at 11:42 am
And yet another opportunity to play “Smoke on the Water…”
Comment by Sarah Jumel
October 17th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
They should freeze dry and crush the dead, it is better for the environment that way (although I doubt they will. The Japanese are slaves to tradition if they are anything.)
Comment by Sol
October 18th, 2008 at 1:16 am
I have a feeling it will inspire a Japanese horror film in the future…
Comment by MDeeDubroff
October 18th, 2008 at 4:56 am
Thank you all foryour most astute comments and to Sol, I think you are right about a new horror movie. i never would have thought do that!
LOL
Keep reading!
Comment by Belbe
October 18th, 2008 at 7:03 am
So true, I think it’s a good idea and solution tbh…