Japanese emperor's funeral plans inspire an ageing society
Seniors urged to prepare for death as elderly population will reach one in three in 20 years
Japan's Emperor Akihito surprised the nation last month when palace officials announced plans for his funeral.
His wishes for a relatively modest one - and the act of planning ahead - were widely seen as a good example in this rapidly ageing country.
Akihito, who turns 80 today, is still active, making an official visit to India in November with his wife, the 79-year-old Empress Michiko. But concerns have grown since he had heart bypass surgery nearly two years ago on top of prostate cancer earlier.
The revelation of the couple's life-end plans was well received in the world's fastest-greying nation, where 20 years from now one in three people will be senior citizens. Eroding traditions and changing demographics mean many of them lack younger relatives to look after their affairs or their graves.
"I really empathise with their feelings," said Setsuko Imamura, a former part-time kimono-dressing instructor who turned 79 this month. "We cannot simply compare the imperial couple's situation with us commoners, but their concerns make sense."
Imamura represents a growing segment of Japan's expanding elderly population, particularly women who often outlive their husbands and are likely to die alone with no one to arrange their funeral or settle their affairs.