【深度揭秘】中国商人如何悄然掌控东京殡葬业？安倍葬礼背后的商业帝国浮出水面 这场跨国商业传奇的序幕，其实早在2021年就已悄然拉开。当时日本政商界赫赫有名的麻生集团（由前首相麻生太郎家族掌控）突然减持广济堂股份，从 20%降至12%。这看似普通的股权变动，却引发商界侦探们的密切关注。经过层层抽丝剥茧，人们发现接盘者竟是Laox集团旗下公司——而Laox的掌舵者， 正是中国企业家罗怡文。 这位上海出生的商业奇才，人生轨迹堪称传奇。1980年代，怀揣梦想的罗怡文辞去上海第一百货的稳定工作，只身闯荡东瀛。初到日本时，他连日语都不流 利，却敏锐发现旅日华人获取信息的痛点，创办《中文导报》一举成功。报纸从最初简单的新闻翻译，逐步发展为涵盖生活指南、就业资讯的综合性媒体， 成为当时30万在日华人的生存宝典。 2022年盛夏，一则震惊世界的突发新闻引爆全球舆论：日本前首相安倍晋三在奈良街头演讲时遭遇枪击，经抢救无效不幸离世。当这位政治强人的葬礼细节 陆续披露时，一个出人意料的事实让日本网民集体破防——为安倍操办火化仪式的，竟是一家具有中资背景的企业！ 更令人惊讶的是，这家名为东京博善株式会社的企业，实际掌控着东京都23区内 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the life and work of Xu Senlin, a funeral service worker, emphasizing the emotional challenges and societal perceptions of the funeral industry in China, as well as the growing demand for professional funeral services due to demographic changes. Group 1: Industry Growth and Trends - The funeral service industry in China has experienced rapid growth over the past decade, with a significant increase in the number of registered companies, particularly a 50.72% year-on-year increase in 2021, reaching a peak in the last ten years with 26,500 new registrations [23]. - Factors such as population aging, urbanization, and rising consumer spending are driving the expansion of the funeral service sector, leading to a comprehensive development in both quality and quantity [44]. Group 2: Professional Practices and Challenges - Xu Senlin and his team provide comprehensive funeral services, ensuring that they are familiar with local customs and practices, which vary by region and ethnicity [21]. - The emotional toll on funeral service workers is significant, as they often deal with grieving families who may express their sorrow through anger or physical outbursts [24]. - The work requires a high level of responsibility and attention to detail, as each family’s needs and cultural practices must be respected and accommodated [21][25]. Group 3: Personal Experiences and Societal Perceptions - Xu Senlin's personal journey reflects the stigma associated with working in the funeral industry, as friends and family may distance themselves due to the nature of his work [18][19]. - Despite the challenges, there is a growing recognition and appreciation for the work done by funeral service professionals, with many families expressing gratitude for the support provided during difficult times [34][54]. - The industry is often viewed as lucrative, but the reality involves significant emotional labor and irregular working hours, with workers frequently on call [37][41]. Group 4: Community Engagement and Support - Xu Senlin and his team have engaged in charitable acts, such as providing free services to families in need, demonstrating a commitment to compassion within the industry [49][50]. - The use of social media platforms to share experiences and educate the public about funeral practices aims to normalize discussions around death and promote understanding [56][57].

Core Viewpoint - The funeral industry in China, traditionally seen as a stable market, is facing significant challenges as consumer spending on high-end burial services declines, leading to substantial losses for major companies like Fushouyuan [3][12][20]. Group 1: Industry Overview - The average daily death toll in China exceeds 28,000, making the funeral industry a "recession-proof" sector [1]. - The funeral service market in China was valued at 169.5 billion yuan in 2015 and is projected to reach 411.4 billion yuan by 2026 [5]. - Fushouyuan, the leading company in the industry, has seen a collective revenue decline among several listed funeral service companies [3][19]. Group 2: Company Performance - Fushouyuan reported a net loss of 260 million yuan for the first half of 2025, confirming previous loss warnings [3][12]. - The company's total revenue for the first half of 2025 was approximately 611 million yuan, a 44.5% decrease from the previous year [12]. - Sales of operational burial plots decreased by 6.7% to 6,253 units compared to the same period last year, with average sales price dropping by 57,000 yuan per unit [14][17]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The decline in consumer spending on high-end burial services is attributed to changing consumer behavior and economic conditions, with customers becoming more cautious in their spending [20]. - The shift in consumer preferences is leading to a rise in demand for more cost-effective and eco-friendly burial options, such as sea burials and tree burials [24][28]. - Regulatory changes are also impacting the industry, with the government promoting "public welfare funerals" and tightening regulations on pricing and service standards [28][29]. Group 4: Future Trends - The funeral industry is transitioning from a high-growth "real estate-like" model to a service-oriented model focused on humanistic care [33]. - Companies are exploring digital solutions and human-centered services to adapt to changing market demands, such as online memorials and life education services [30][31]. - The industry's future may hinge on balancing humanistic values with commercial profitability, as traditional revenue models are being challenged [33][34].

Core Viewpoint - The funeral industry in China, traditionally seen as a stable market, is facing significant challenges as consumer behavior shifts and companies report declining revenues and increasing losses [4][12][18]. Group 1: Industry Overview - The funeral service market in China was valued at 169.5 billion yuan in 2015 and is projected to reach 411.4 billion yuan by 2026 [7]. - Fushouyuan, the leading company in the sector, reported a net loss of 260 million yuan in the first half of 2025, confirming previous loss warnings [4][12]. - The average sales price of operational graves at Fushouyuan increased from 102,500 yuan in 2018 to 119,500 yuan in 2023, with a projected price of approximately 121,200 yuan in 2024 [10]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Fushouyuan's total revenue for the first half of 2025 was approximately 611 million yuan, a decrease of 44.5% compared to the previous year [12]. - The number of operational graves sold by Fushouyuan decreased by 6.7% year-on-year, from 6,704 to 6,253 graves, with a significant drop in revenue from grave services [14][18]. - The overall revenue for Fushouyuan fell by 20.9% in 2024 due to a reduction in grave sales [15]. Group 3: Changing Consumer Behavior - Consumers are becoming more cautious with their spending on funeral services, leading to a decline in the purchase of high-end graves [20][21]. - There is a growing preference for eco-friendly burial options, such as sea burials and tree burials, as people seek more cost-effective and meaningful ways to honor the deceased [24][28]. - Cultural shifts in attitudes towards death and funerals are prompting individuals to prioritize personal connections over extravagant ceremonies [28][30]. Group 4: Industry Transformation - The funeral industry is experiencing a shift from a profit-driven model based on high land prices to a service-oriented approach focused on humanistic care [30][34]. - Companies are exploring digital solutions and human-centered services, such as online memorials and life education, to adapt to changing market demands [30][31]. - The traditional revenue model of selling graves is being challenged, as new digital services may offer lower profit margins, requiring companies to serve a larger customer base to maintain profitability [32][34].

Core Viewpoint - The funeral industry in China, traditionally seen as a stable market, is facing significant challenges as consumer spending on high-end burial services declines, leading to substantial losses for leading companies like Fushouyuan [2][10][12]. Group 1: Industry Overview - The average daily death toll in China exceeds 28,000, making the funeral industry a "recession-proof" sector [1]. - The funeral service market in China was valued at 169.5 billion yuan in 2015 and is projected to reach 411.4 billion yuan by 2026 [4]. - Fushouyuan, the leading company in the sector, was listed in Hong Kong in 2013 and is known for its high-end burial services [5]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Fushouyuan reported a net loss of 260 million yuan for the first half of 2025, confirming previous loss warnings [2]. - The company's total revenue for the first half of 2025 was approximately 611 million yuan, a 44.5% decrease from the previous year [10]. - Sales of operational burial plots decreased by 6.7% year-on-year, with the average sales price dropping by 57,000 yuan per plot [10][12]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The decline in revenue is attributed to changing consumer behavior, with customers becoming more cautious in their spending on funeral services [13]. - The shift in consumer preferences is evident as more individuals opt for eco-friendly burial methods, such as sea burials and tree burials, which are gaining popularity [19]. - The industry is experiencing a transformation as traditional high-margin business models based on land scarcity are being challenged by economic downturns and changing consumer attitudes towards death and funerals [20][21]. Group 4: Strategic Responses - Companies are adjusting their product offerings to include mid-range services to cater to changing consumer demands [13]. - Fushouyuan is exploring digital services and human-centered care, such as life memorial spaces and emotional healing services, to enhance value [23][25]. - The transition from asset-based sales to service-oriented models poses challenges, as companies must balance emotional investment with profitability [25][26].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that Fushouyuan, a leading player in the cemetery industry, has experienced a significant decline in financial performance, reporting a loss of over 200 million yuan after previously earning 300 million yuan the year before, leading to a 9% drop in stock price [1][2] - The average price of a burial plot at Fushouyuan reached 121,200 yuan, which is 1.76 times higher than the average price of second-hand housing in Beijing, indicating a high cost of burial plots compared to real estate [1][2] - Sales of burial plots have decreased, with Fushouyuan selling 12,600 plots last year, nearly 4,000 fewer than the previous year, suggesting a decline in demand [2][3] Group 2 - Fushouyuan attributes its financial losses to macroeconomic factors, claiming that consumers are becoming more budget-conscious, as the price of 121,200 yuan is close to the average annual salary of an ordinary person [2][5] - The strategy of relying on continuous price increases to compensate for declining sales has not been effective, as consumers are unwilling to pay the high prices [3][4] - The situation highlights the reality that there are no forever appreciating assets, only consumers who remain vigilant about their spending [4]

Core Viewpoint - The funeral industry is at the initial stage of digital transformation, which is expected to bring significant changes in practices and high-quality development through the realization of four key advancements: timeliness, spatiality, holography, and simulation [1][22]. Group 1: Advantages of Digital Transformation - Digital transformation in the funeral industry offers multiple advantages compared to traditional practices, including time, space, and simulation benefits [3][6]. - The time advantage allows for more efficient handling of funeral activities, enabling timely communication and emotional expression, which has not been possible before [6]. - The spatial advantage enables remote participation in memorial services, allowing individuals to connect with ceremonies regardless of their physical location [7]. - The simulation advantage leverages AI technology to create digital representations of the deceased, facilitating a new form of interaction and remembrance in the metaverse [9]. Group 2: Implementation of Digital Transformation - The digital transformation in the funeral industry requires a comprehensive understanding of various application scenarios to identify potential digital needs and solutions [2][12]. - The industry must embrace a dual role as both a demand and supply side in the digital transformation process, necessitating collaboration with external technology providers [13]. - Key application scenarios include digitizing cultural summaries of the deceased, enhancing service environments, and providing intelligent consultation solutions [14][15]. Group 3: High-Quality Development - The digital transformation is seen as a crucial strategy for achieving high-quality development in the funeral industry, aligning with broader societal technological advancements [21][22]. - The focus should be on achieving the four advancements to enhance service accessibility, eliminate spatial barriers, and create immersive digital experiences for clients [22][23]. - While digital tools can enhance the funeral experience, the human element in service delivery remains irreplaceable, emphasizing the importance of personal involvement in memorial practices [23].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights the significant decline in the performance of leading companies in the funeral industry, such as Fushouyuan, which reported a total revenue of 2.078 billion RMB in 2024, a year-on-year decrease of 20.9%, and a net profit of 373 million RMB, down 52.8% [1][2][17] - The funeral industry, once perceived as a lucrative business, is now facing operational challenges and a shift in consumer behavior amid changing economic conditions [2][17] - The market for funeral services has seen a continuous increase in the number of related enterprises, with 643,000 new registrations in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 17.73% [3][10] Group 2 - The aging population in China is a key driver for the growth of the funeral market, with the number of individuals aged 60 and above reaching 310 million by the end of 2024, accounting for 22% of the total population [8][25] - Urbanization has also contributed to the demand for commercial funeral services, with the urbanization rate reaching 67% in 2024, leading to a higher cremation rate of 58.8% in 2021 [8][10] - The funeral service market size has grown from 169.5 billion RMB in 2015 to 310.2 billion RMB in 2022, with the cemetery service market being the largest segment [10][11] Group 3 - Fushouyuan's average cemetery price has increased significantly, with the average price per grave reaching 121,200 RMB in 2024, nearly double the price from ten years ago [11][12] - The rising prices of cemetery plots have led to consumer dissatisfaction, as evidenced by a decline in sales volume by over 30% in 2024 compared to 2023 [14][17] - Other companies in the industry, such as Fucheng Co. and Anxian Garden China, have also reported declines in revenue, indicating a broader trend of decreasing performance across the sector [17][18] Group 4 - The high prices of cemetery plots have prompted consumers to seek alternative solutions, such as purchasing residential properties for storing ashes, which are often more cost-effective [21][22] - New burial methods, such as sea burials and biodegradable urns, are gaining traction as consumers look for more affordable and environmentally friendly options [24][25] - The article suggests that addressing the high costs of burial plots is essential to reconcile the economic burdens faced by families with the traditional values associated with funerals [25][26]