Japan's funeral industry struggles to keep pace with rising deaths
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More than 1.56 million people died in Japan last year, the highest number since statistics were first recorded in 1899. The figure is expected to continue to rise, and by 2040 is forecast to reach about 1.67 million. The funeral industry and municipal governments are struggling to cope. In some cases, grieving families have to wait almost two weeks to put their loved ones to rest. That adds stress to what is already a traumatic time.