Cremation Metal Recovery in Japan – Precious Metals & Practices
In Japan, cremation is the most common end-of-life practice, with over 1.5 million cremations conducted annually. However, a recent survey reveals that nearly half of Japan’s major cities are engaging in the sale of valuable metals extracted from the ashes of cremated remains. This practice, while financially beneficial, exists in a legal gray area, raising questions about ethical considerations and the rights of families.
Metals Recovered from Cremations
As cremations in Japan rise due to an aging population, crematoria find themselves with leftover ashes that contain metals such as gold, palladium (often from dental work), and titanium (from bone implants). Some cities have turned these metals into a source of revenue. According to the survey, 42 out of 88 major cities in Japan have sold these metals to offset public cremation costs, collectively generating 6.49 billion yen (£34 million) over the last five years. The value of these metals continues to rise, driven by increasing death rates and metal prices.
Kyoto leads in earnings from the sale of metals, generating 303 million yen (£1.6 million) in fiscal year 2023, followed by Yokohama and Nagoya. Kyoto, for example, reinvests this revenue into upgrading cremation facilities, making them more convenient for public use.
A Contrast with the UK: Orthometals Scheme
In the UK, a similar practice exists but with more regulation and transparency through the Orthometals Scheme, pioneered with the Institute of Cremation and Cemetery Management . Here, valuable metals such as titanium and cobalt-chrome are recovered after cremation and recycled, but the proceeds are donated to charitable causes, In fact we have just passed the £20m level! This approach is transparent, as the families are notified, and there is a clear ethical framework in place to ensure the recovered metals are used for societal good rather than as a source of income for the local authorities.
The Orthometals Scheme in the UK ensures that crematoria are not seen as profiting from the remains of the deceased, a stark contrast to the situation in Japan where many cities do not disclose their use of proceeds or even notify residents of the practice.
Calls for Regulation in Japan
While some Japanese cities have embraced the sale of metals from ashes, others refuse, citing respect for the dead as the reason. Approximately 46 cities opt to bury or dispose of the ashes, often at a significant cost. For instance, Sagamihara City spends 44,000 yen annually on ash removal services, seeing it as an act of reverence for the deceased.
Interestingly, 30% of the surveyed cities expressed a desire for national regulations on the matter, fearing potential conflicts with residents. In contrast, others, such as Saitama City, argue that cremation practices differ widely by region and should not be governed by a national standard. I was told off the record there was organised crime involved but I couldn’t say for certain.
The Path Forward
Japan’s aging population and the expected increase in cremations, projected to peak at 1.67 million by 2040, mean that this issue will only become more pressing. Experts argue that clearer legal guidelines are needed. The government will need to consider cultural sensitivities while ensuring that transparency and ethical standards are maintained.
To me it is simple: regulate and crack on. The cultural sensitives are way outweighed by the financial benefit and the green impact of less metals being mined in the first place…