Oyama, Tochigi Prefecture — A 38-year-old man was arrested on March 25 for allegedly abandoning his father’s body for nearly two months, citing an inability to pay for funeral expenses, authorities said.
Hajime Kikuchi, a resident of Shiki in Saitama Prefecture, is accused of leaving the remains of his 69-year-old father, Hiroshi Kikuchi, inside the elder man’s home in Oyama, Tochigi Prefecture. Police from the Oyama Police Station reported that Hiroshi’s body was discovered on March 8 during a welfare check, prompting an investigation.
According to authorities, the father had been living alone and is believed to have died from hypothermia. Investigators say Hajime Kikuchi admitted to knowing about his father’s death as early as January but chose not to report it, telling police, “I couldn’t afford a funeral, so I just left the body.”
The case has drawn attention to Japan’s growing issue of “kodokushi” (lonely deaths) and financial struggles among low-income families. With rising funeral costs—often exceeding ¥1 million ($6,700)—some families face impossible choices when a relative passes away.
Police are investigating whether neglect or other factors contributed to Hiroshi’s death. Meanwhile, social workers emphasize the need for better support systems to prevent similar tragedies.
“This isn’t just about one family’s hardship,” said a local welfare official. “It’s a symptom of broader societal gaps in elder care and poverty relief.”
Hajime Kikuchi remains in custody as authorities determine whether to pursue additional charges. The case has sparked online debate about Japan’s aging crisis and the hidden struggles of those living on the economic margins.
(Sources: Tochigi Prefectural Police, local welfare reports)
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