Group 1 - The total amount of property in Japan that has gone to the national treasury due to lack of heirs reached 129.1 billion yen (approximately 5.89 billion RMB) in the fiscal year 2024, marking a historical high since records began in fiscal year 2013 [1] - The amount received by the national treasury in fiscal year 2024 is approximately 3.8 times that of fiscal year 2013 [1] Group 2 - The increase in unclaimed inheritance is significantly attributed to the rising number of elderly individuals living alone, which is linked to declining birth rates, an aging population, and a growing proportion of single individuals [2] - In the first half of 2024, 37,227 solitary individuals died at home in Japan, with 28,330 (about 76%) being aged 65 and older [2] - The phenomenon of "lonely deaths" is particularly severe in the Tokyo metropolitan area, with Tokyo recording the highest number at 4,786 [2] Group 3 - Japan's birth rate is projected to hit a historical low, with an estimated 665,000 Japanese babies born in 2025, a decrease of 3.0% from the previous year [3] - The birth rate has been declining for ten consecutive years since 2016, with the decline from 2022 to 2024 remaining within the 5% range [4] - The number of marriage registrations in 2025 is expected to stabilize at 485,000 pairs, but it remains uncertain whether this will support future birth rates [4]

Core Insights - The total amount of unclaimed inheritance in Japan for the fiscal year 2024 reached 129.1 billion yen (approximately 5.87 billion RMB), marking a historical high since records began in the fiscal year 2013 [1] - The increase in unclaimed inheritance is attributed to the rising number of elderly individuals living alone, which is linked to declining birth rates, an aging population, and a growing proportion of single individuals [1] - Even when legal heirs exist, some may decline to process inheritance due to age, leading to further increases in the number of elderly individuals without heirs [1] Financial Impact - The amount received by the Japanese treasury from unclaimed inheritance is approximately 3.8 times that of the fiscal year 2013 [1] Legal Context - Under Japanese law, if a person dies without a spouse, children, parents, or siblings, or without a will, their estate cannot be inherited by anyone, and it is subsequently claimed by the state after settling any outstanding taxes and funeral expenses [1] Societal Trends - The phenomenon of increasing unclaimed inheritance is closely related to demographic changes, including the rise in the number of elderly living alone and the overall aging of the population [1]