Japan man hides father's body in wardrobe for 2 years: 'The funeral was expensive'

While the exact circumstances of his father's death remain under investigation, Nobuhiko Suzuki claimed he returned home one day to find him dead. (Representational image: Gemini)

A 56-year-old man in Japan has been arrested for allegedly hiding his father's body in a wardrobe for about two years after his death to avoid funeral expenses. The incident came to light after the man, identified as Nobuhiko Suzuki, owner of a local Chinese restaurant, did not come to the eatery for a week and concerned neighbours called the police, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.

The authorities conducted a welfare check at Suzuki's home to find the skeletal remains of his 86-year-old father, who reportedly died in January 2023, inside a wardrobe.

"The funeral was expensive," Suzuki reportedly said when questioned about his actions. While the exact circumstances of his father's death remain under investigation, Suzuki claimed he returned home one day to find him dead.

While the police are investigating the case, the incident went viral on social media due to its macabre nature, with some online commentators speculating that Suzuki's motive was financial gain by collecting his father's pension. "He is just a bad guy who hid his father’s body for his pension," one user commented.

Others, however, empathised with the man, highlighting the often overwhelming and costly nature of funeral arrangements, particularly for those navigating such matters for the first time. "When my father passed away, the hospital urged me to find a funeral home immediately. I ended up spending two million yen (close to Rs 12 lakh). Losing a family member for the first time is overwhelming, with so many unknowns," SCMP quoted another user as saying.