According to research by the Nikkei newspaper, metals made from the ashes of cremated remains are being sold in dozens of Japanese cities. This is happening against the backdrop of rising death tolls and rising raw material prices. The authorities’ income is estimated at millions of dollars.
More than 1.5 million people in Japan choose cremation each year. Families usually take away the remains and bone fragments. However, during cremation, ash remains from which metals are extracted in the crematorium. This ash may contain gold and palladium from dental fillings or titanium from bone implants.
A Nikkei survey in July found that 42 of 88 major cities sell ash materials. More than 70% of them started doing so in 2010. Cities are expected to generate about $45 million in revenue from ash-to-metal sales through 2023.
The paper also asked residents about their stance on the situation: About 30% of those surveyed said they wanted the central government to develop rules on selling metals from ash. “If cities decide to sell metals from ash, they should explain what they are used for to gain revenue and residents’ understanding,” said Takako Tamagawa, an assistant professor at Nagoya Gakuin University’s Department of Modern Social Research.
Another new study examines how Zoomers think about sex and relationships. The report surveyed people ages 18 to 75 from 71 countries.
Source: People Talk
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
