Nikkei Introduces 'Dotai-sha' Handling Funerals for Foreigners
Communicates in English and Manages Local Administration for Clients
Respects Religious and Cultural Differences in Funeral Services
International funeral services that transport the deceased overseas when foreigners die in Japan are gaining attention.
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) recently reported on 'Dotai-sha,' the only funeral service company in Japan specializing in foreigners residing in the country. Dotai-sha, headquartered in Tokyo, handles funerals for foreigners occurring throughout Japan. As the number of visitors to Japan increases, so does the number of deaths locally. In 2023, the number of foreigners residing in Japan who died due to illness or accidents reached a record high of 9,051.
Nikkei reported a case where Dotai-sha conducted the funeral of an American who died of cardiac arrest in a hospital while traveling in Kagawa Prefecture. Upon receiving the request, Shuhei Matsuki, president of Dotai-sha, immediately traveled to Kagawa Prefecture to take custody of the body and handled all administrative procedures on behalf of the bereaved family, who could not communicate in Japanese, including hospital bill payments and submitting the death notification. In addition, they managed the transportation and cremation processes, providing real-time photo updates of all funeral procedures such as encoffining and cremation to the family.
Dotai-sha Homepage Introduction. It says, "Entrust us with the task of bringing foreign nationals who have passed away in Japan back to their home countries and conducting their funerals." Dotai-sha.
President Matsuki started working as a mortician in his twenties and opened the international funeral service company in 2017. He communicates with bereaved families in English and provides services such as cremation arrangements and overseas transportation. A notable aspect is the full respect for cultural differences stemming from religion; if the family wishes for burial in their home country for religious reasons, embalming is performed accordingly.
Dotai-sha conducted 44 international funerals in 2024. The nationalities of the deceased included the United States, Korea, Belgium, Latvia, Bangladesh, Cameroon, and others. Nikkei analyzed that the ability to respond quickly regardless of nationality is due to well-established networks with related organizations. Dotai-sha is known to have steadily built cooperative relationships with embassies from 36 countries, police stations, hospitals, and funeral homes throughout Japan. The websites of the U.S. and Russian embassies in Japan officially introduce Dotai-sha as an international funeral service provider.
President Matsuki said, "Bereaved families face many challenges such as language, religion, and cultural differences while deeply grieving in a foreign country. The belief that everyone deserves equal condolences is the driving force behind this work."
Nikkei emphasized the need to prepare measures related to the deaths of foreigners residing in Japan, referencing Dotai-sha's case. While detailed records are kept regarding entry and employment, there are no statistics on age, occupation, or residency status when foreigners residing in Japan die.
Toshihiro Menju, visiting professor at Kansai International University, stated, "Japan's measures for foreigner deaths are insufficient. Since the Japanese government has announced a policy to support foreigners residing in Japan throughout their life cycle, it should review the life challenges faced by foreigners with diverse backgrounds in language, culture, and religion and take concrete actions."
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