"Who Will Care for My Grave After I Die?"... Ocean Burials Rapidly Gaining Popularity in Japan

Ocean Burials Increase Sixfold in Seven Years
Celebrity Choices Accelerate the Trend

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According to Yonhap News, citing Sankei Shimbun on May 20, ocean burials—where cremated remains are scattered at sea—are rapidly becoming a new alternative funeral culture in Japan.

According to the Japan Marine Burial Association, there were 6,690 ocean burials last year, a nearly sixfold increase from 1,064 cases in 2018, seven years ago.

Unlike cemeteries, columbaria, and woodland burials, ocean burials are attracting attention because they entail minimal maintenance and management costs.

The fact that well-known figures who loved the sea, such as legendary Japanese actor Yujiro Ishihara, chose ocean burials has also contributed to the growing popularity of this practice.

Former Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara, who was also a novelist, was buried at sea in accordance with his will after his death in 2022. It is also known that famous comedic storytellers such as Yasushi Yokohama and Danshi Tachikawa chose ocean burials as well.

In the past, there was controversy over the legality of ocean burials. However, after Japan's Ministry of Justice stated that the practice is not illegal as long as it is carried out with proper etiquette and within social norms, interest in natural burials has grown in earnest.

Currently, the industry follows its own guidelines, requiring that ocean burials be conducted at least 1.8 kilometers offshore, so there have been very few issues.

Professor Daginse of Kinki University, an expert in funeral culture, cited a shortage of descendants and the burden of cemetery maintenance costs, saying, "For modern people, ocean burials are being recognized as a very rational option, and this trend is expected to expand further in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.