A growing number of cities in Japan are selling precious metals mined from the ashes of cremated remains.
This trend is associated with increased mortality and rising metal prices.
More than 1.5 million people die in Japan every year, Nikkei reports.
Most bodies of the deceased are cremated in crematoria, which are often run by local authorities.
The ashes are said to contain valuable metals, including gold, palladium from dental fillings and titanium from bone implants.
A July survey found that ash materials were being sold in 42 major cities.
At the same time, revenue from the sale of metals from ashes until the 2023 financial year amounted to 6.49 billion yen, or 45 million dollars.
Given the increase in mortality, demand and prices for precious metals have increased significantly.
The authorities of large cities consider it expedient to use the income from metals extracted from the ashes.
Author: Elena Gutyro
