The Representation of Abandoned Graves in Postwar Japan: A Content Analysis of Newspaper and Magazine Articles

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  • メディア報道にみる無縁墓の戦後史 : 何が問題とされたのか

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The number of abandoned graves is increasing in today’s Japan, which is considered to be a “problem.” This paper aims to find a solution to various difficulties that graves and cemeteries are facing in Japanese society. Using postwar newspaper and magazine articles as the main sources, this paper discusses the history of abandoned graves. By focusing on the changes in the representations of and discourses on abandoned graves over time, and on the factors that led to these changes, I find that society has accepted a certain notion, namely, that it is a horrible thing to become abandoned, and it is also a nuisance to society. Newspapers and news magazine media repeatedly recommend shukatsu activities to people (making preparations for their own end-of-life and death) and “grave closing” actions as a choice to avoid inconveniencing their descendants and society. They regard unmarked graves as deserted, lonely, or a nuisance. People are being driven to shukatsu through such media coverage.

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