What happens if I die in Japan?

It’s not something anyone likes to think about, but if you’re living in Japan — especially alone — you might have wondered: What happens if I die in Japan? While it’s not the most cheerful topic, understanding the official procedures can bring peace of mind. In this article, let’s explore what happens when a foreign resident dies in Japan, covering everything from legal processes to what your embassy can do to help.

What Happens If a Foreigner Passes Away in Japan?

The Embassy’s Role in Handling the Remains

Repatriation Costs and Procedures

What Happens If No Family Members Can Be Contacted?

What Happens to My Property?

How Will My Pets Be Affected?

What Happens If a Foreigner Passes Away in Japan?

The process following a foreigner’s death in Japan can vary depending on the circumstances. While it’s impossible to cover every scenario, this article focuses on a long-term resident who lives alone but stays in touch with family back home.

For a foreigner living alone in Japan, one major concern might be: Who would inform my family if I passed away here? In most cases, if local authorities are aware of your nationality, they will notify your country’s embassy or consulate, which will then reach out to your closest relatives.

The procedure for reporting a death depends on the cause:

• Accidents (e.g., traffic collisions) and criminal incidents (e.g., robbery) are handled by the police, who notify the local municipality.
• Sudden illnesses (e.g., heart attacks) are usually reported by the hospital.

Procedures can vary by municipality, but generally, the local government follows established regulations. For example, many cities require the mayor to notify the deceased’s consulate and request assistance in handling the remains. One such regulation from Toyama City states:

“The mayor shall notify the consulate of the foreigner’s country of origin if they have provided assistance to a foreign traveler, a foreign traveler who has passed away, or their accompanying person, and request cooperation for handling the remains.”

(Toyama City Regulations on the Care and Handling of Foreign Travelers, Deceased Travelers, and Their Accompanying Persons)

The Embassy’s Role in Handling the Remains

Once notified, the embassy or consulate will take steps to locate the deceased’s family and inform them of the situation. If the deceased did not leave specific instructions regarding their funeral arrangements, their family will decide the next steps.

If the family requests repatriation of the body, funeral homes or crematoriums in Japan will temporarily hold the remains while arrangements are made. Personal belongings are typically stored in a municipal warehouse until they can be returned to the family.

Repatriation Costs and Procedures

Repatriating a body to one’s home country is expensive, typically costing around ¥500,000. This fee covers transportation and essential documentation, which may include:

• A Certified Copy of the Notification of Death
• An embalming certificate (if required by the destination country)
• A certificate confirming the coffin complies with International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations

Additional costs may include airfare, a specialized coffin, and other administrative fees. If the deceased had life or travel insurance, these expenses may be covered, so having insurance in place can provide peace of mind.

For example, the U.S. government does not cover repatriation costs, but it does assist families by providing contact information for the relevant authorities in Japan and facilitating financial transactions. The U.S. embassy or consulate will also issue a Certificate of the Cause of Death (CRODA), with a copy provided to the family.

What Happens If No Family Members Can Be Contacted?

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