"The deaths of the Japanese are controlled by China"? Chinese capital monopolizes the funeral industry in Tokyo, Japan, triggering discussions. The government of Asahina Hayana may amend laws to restrict foreign investment. Currently, six out of nine crematoriums in Tokyo's 23 wards are controlled by Chinese capital, controlling more than 70% of the cremation market in Tokyo. Recently, Tokyo Hoshan announced its withdrawal from the "Community Funeral" social welfare system, and starting April 2026, the cremation fee will increase from 59,600 yen to 87,000 yen (a 46% increase). This directly proves that it has control over pricing, causing panic among the Japanese people with the phrase "even death cannot escape China".

In the funeral market, Cao County in Shandong supplies 90% of the coffins for Japan, with more than 2,000 enterprises having an annual output value exceeding 10 billion RMB. Huian County in Fujian occupies 90% of Japan's tombstone market, with an annual output value of nearly 2 billion RMB. For plaques and urns, Chinese products account for 80% and 60% respectively. From coffins, tombstones to crematorium operations, China has formed a complete industrial chain penetration. During the pandemic in 2020, the stone factory in Huian was shut down for three weeks, leading to Japanese deceased not being able to be buried in time, highlighting the supply chain dependence.

Japanese media reports have triggered collective panic about "death is controlled by China", said Shigami district councilor, "This is not something we can ignore", but Tokyo funeral industry practitioners say they cannot compete and feel "pessimistic" about the future.

Currently, public opinion and civilian views in Japan are linking the funeral industry to "national sovereignty" and "cultural security", showing a trend towards politicization. According to reports, the government of Asahina Hayana has begun to push for legal amendments to restrict foreign investment in the funeral industry.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1853165966872640/

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