A former love motel in Japan has been converted into a funeral home, sparking debate on social media about the country’s declining birth rate and ageing population.
The establishment in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, was once painted in bright purple, reflecting the extravagant nature of its business. However, following its transformation into a funeral parlour in February, it adopted a solemn white appearance to match its new purpose.
Love motels first emerged in Japan in the late 1960s and thrived during the nation’s economic boom of the 1980s, known as the "bubble" era. Their popularity coincided with Japan’s second baby boom (1971–1974), when annual births exceeded two million.
However, as Japan’s fertility rates plummeted and its ageing population surged, the demand for love motels declined, while the need for funeral services increased. The shift has led many to view the conversion of a love motel into a funeral home as a metaphor for the country’s demographic crisis.
The transformation of the building was widely discussed online, with users drawing parallels between Japan’s past and present demographic trends.
One individual remarked: "This is the perfect metaphor for Japan’s declining birth rate and ageing population."
Another commented: "Some people begin and end their lives in the same place."
A third questioned: "What future does a country have where funeral homes are in greater demand than love hotels?"
Others reacted with scepticism. "I do not want to have my funeral held in a former love motel," one user wrote.
A Japanese observer online summed it up as a "cradle-to-grave" transformation.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the number of people aged 65 and older reached a record 36.25 million in 2024, accounting for 29.3 per cent of the total population. Japan now has the highest proportion of elderly residents among 200 countries and regions with populations exceeding 100,000.
The country’s birth rate has continued its downward trajectory, with only 720,988 babies born in 2024—a five per cent drop from the previous year and the ninth consecutive year of decline. Meanwhile, a record 1.62 million deaths were recorded, meaning that more than two people died for every new baby born.
While neighbouring South Korea saw a slight rise in its fertility rate in 2024 for the first time in nine years, Japan’s trend has yet to show signs of reversal.
Love motels, once a booming industry, have seen a gradual decline. They range from luxurious accommodations akin to five-star hotels to run-down suburban establishments. Some are famous for their eccentric themes, including spaceships, anime, and fantasy settings.
According to Japan’s National Police Agency, the number of registered love hotels dropped from 5,670 in 2016 to 5,183 in 2020—a trend reflecting both societal and economic changes.
With Japan’s ageing population expected to reach 34.8 per cent by 2040, the reallocation of former businesses—from love hotels to funeral homes—could become a more frequent occurrence.
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