Japan's Genealogy Boom: Why More Japanese Are Tracing Their Roots Amid Rising "Grave Closing" Trend
A Paradox Emerges as Japan Sees Record Grave Closures
A quiet movement is gaining momentum in Japan. As the nation grapples with an aging population and declining birth rates, more Japanese than ever are creating family trees—known as "kakeizu" (家系図)—to trace their ancestral roots.
According to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of "hakajimai" (墓じまい)—the practice of closing family graves by relocating remains—has more than doubled over the past decade, rising from approximately 83,000 cases in 2014 to 176,000 in 2024. In Sapporo's municipal cemeteries alone, a record 587 grave closures occurred in 2025.
While this might suggest a decline in ancestor veneration, something unexpected is happening. As physical graves become harder to maintain, Japanese people are increasingly turning to family trees as a way to preserve their ancestral connections.
Why the Sudden Interest in Family Trees?
Several factors are driving Japan's genealogy boom.
The Ticking Clock on Historical Records
Japan established its modern family registry system (koseki) in 1886 during the Meiji era. These Meiji 19 registries are the oldest family records currently available, and when traced successfully, they can reveal ancestors dating back to the late Edo period (1850s-1860s).
However, there's a pressing deadline. Although the registry preservation period was extended to 150 years in 2010, records created in 1886 will begin facing destruction around 2036. Earlier registries may have already been discarded under the previous 80-year rule.
Muneki Watanabe, an administrative scrivener who conducts genealogy seminars in Sapporo, warns: "The Meiji 19 registries were created 150 years ago. These records are now approaching their disposal deadline."
The Nuclear Family and Weakening Family Bonds
Japan's shift toward nuclear families has left many people unable to recall even their grandparents' full names. Can you name your cousins' children? The extended family networks that were once commonplace have become increasingly fragmented.
Watanabe observes: "While family units continue to become more fragmented, I believe attachment to family trees is actually growing." In an era of disconnection, family trees offer a way to rediscover one's roots and sense of belonging.
Anxiety About Losing Ancestral Connections
For those considering grave closure, there's often an underlying fear of severing ties with ancestors. One seminar participant expressed this concern: "I'm worried that closing the grave will cut me off from my ancestors. Maybe I should try making a family tree."
Even when physical graves cannot be maintained, preserving family history through a family tree may represent a new form of ancestor veneration for modern Japanese.
How to Create a Family Tree in Japan
There are three main approaches to creating a family tree.
DIY: Obtaining Family Registries Yourself
Since March 2024, Japan's new wide-area registry system allows individuals to obtain direct-line ancestor registries at any municipal office nationwide. Costs are approximately ¥450 for current registries and ¥750 for closed registries, with a typical one-lineage investigation (paternal or maternal) costing around ¥7,000.
Professional Services
Administrative scrivener offices and specialized genealogy companies typically charge ¥30,000 to ¥100,000 per lineage for registry-based research. Comprehensive investigations including gravestone surveys, temple death registers, and local historical records can exceed ¥1,000,000.
Some companies have contributed to NHK's popular documentary series "Family History," demonstrating how professional research can uncover unexpected stories about one's ancestors.
Digital Tools
Smartphone apps like "Suisui Kakeizu" (Smooth Family Tree) allow users to create family trees for free. Excel templates are also widely available, making genealogy accessible to younger generations.
Beyond Registry Records
When registries have been destroyed or when tracing further back in history, alternative methods become valuable.
Buddhist temples that served as family temples often maintain "kakocho" (death registers) with records extending into the Edo period. Gravestones themselves may contain valuable information through inscribed posthumous names and death dates. Local archives and libraries may hold historical documents and biographical records of regional figures. Family crests and surname origins can provide clues about ancestral locations and occupations.
Japan's Unique Position in Global Genealogy
Japan is considered one of the easiest countries in the world for genealogical research, thanks to its Meiji-era registry system. Many countries lack such comprehensive government records.
In the United States, services like Ancestry.com and 23andMe have become popular, combining over 60 billion historical records with DNA testing to help people trace their origins. As a nation of immigrants, America has a particularly strong demand for ancestral research, making genealogy a major industry.
Japan's family registry system is globally unique in providing verifiable, government-maintained records for tracing ancestors. This system offers Japanese people a valuable opportunity to discover their roots while these records still exist.
Conclusion: Whose Descendant Are You?
It's fascinating that interest in ancestors is growing in modern Japan even as physical graves become harder to maintain. Preserving family history through a family tree—to pass on to children and grandchildren—may represent a new form of ancestor veneration for our times.
Before the Meiji-era registries face destruction, consider investigating your own roots. Speaking with grandparents and parents while they're still with us can reveal family stories that no official record could capture.
We'd love to hear from you: Does your country have a tradition of family trees? How do people in your culture trace their ancestral roots? If there are different ways of preserving family history where you're from, please share them with us!
References
Reactions in Japan
We're also considering closing our family grave, but I thought I should at least create a family tree beforehand. I feel like I'll regret it if I don't talk to my grandfather while he's still alive.
I didn't know Meiji-era registries were being destroyed... My family's registered domicile has changed multiple times due to municipal mergers, so I probably need to investigate soon.
I'm hooked on creating my family tree. I was moved when I traced registries back to the Edo period. Found out my ancestors were village headmen, which explains my surname's origin.
Started creating a family tree as part of my end-of-life preparations. I've grown more eager to leave my children a record of their roots.
Honestly, there are many shady operators in the family tree business, so you need to be careful. Some people apparently pay hundreds of thousands of yen when they could do it themselves for a few thousand.
Inspired by 'Family History' TV show, I made my family tree, but turns out we were just ordinary farmers lol. Still, it's moving to think this proves my ancestors protected their land.
The wide-area issuance system has made creating family trees much easier. Before, I had to mail requests to each registered domicile and buy postal money orders—it was incredibly tedious.
When the temple showed me their death register, I learned ancestor names from before registry records existed. Amazed I could trace back to mid-Edo period.
I use an app called 'Suisui Kakeizu.' It's free and easy to use, plus I can share it with family, which makes gatherings more exciting.
Researching my family tree revealed my great-grandmother died in the Tokyo air raids. The registry noted 'destroyed by war damage'—it made history feel real.
After closing our grave and switching to perpetual memorial, I felt disconnected from ancestors, so I made a family tree. Now I can pass this on to my children.
Had an administrative scrivener create my family tree and it was cheaper than expected. About ¥50,000 for all four lineages from both parents.
Honestly thought researching ancestors wouldn't affect my life, but it was surprisingly interesting. Seeing how historical events linked to my ancestors' lives was fascinating.
For my 60th birthday, I had a family tree made as a traditional scroll. Written with brush on Japanese paper—it's going to be a family treasure.
They call it a genealogy boom, but many young people don't even know their grandparents' names. I think it's a consequence of nuclear family trends.
My grandmother always said we're distantly related to Saburo Kitajima. Would love to verify that with a family tree lol
As an American, using Ancestry.com and DNA tests to research ancestors is normal, but I'm envious of Japan's family registry system. Having the government maintain official records for 150 years is something we don't have in the US.
In the UK, we use church records and census data to trace ancestry, but it's quite laborious. Japan's system seems efficient. The idea of maintaining connections through records even when closing graves is lovely.
In Germany, many records were lost during the wars, so creating family trees is often difficult. It's amazing that Japan still has records from 150 years ago—that's a precious cultural heritage.
Brazil has many Japanese descendants who want to know their Japanese roots. But I've heard it's difficult to obtain Japanese registries from overseas. I wish it were easier.
Korea had a similar family registry system to Japan, but it was abolished in 2008 and replaced with the family relations registration system. I wonder how that affected ancestry research. Japan is maintaining its system.
In Australia, our immigrant history is short, so ancestry research means looking at UK or Irish records. It's impressive that Japanese can trace back to the Edo period within their own country.
In France, we have birth, marriage, and death records at city halls, but many were destroyed during the Revolution. Japan's commitment to record preservation is something we should learn from.
In Mexico, church baptism records are the main source for ancestry research. But old records are often in poor condition. Japan's 150-year preservation rule is an excellent policy.
In Poland, many records were lost during WWII. Japan's concept of 'grave closing' is interesting. In Poland, maintaining family graves is considered an important duty, so I sense cultural differences.
In Ireland, the Great Famine caused massive emigration, so family records are often fragmented. Having complete records within one country like Japan is fortunate.
I've done DNA testing with 23andMe, and both documentary records and genetic testing have pros and cons. Japanese registries are more certain, but DNA tests can reveal unexpected discoveries.
In China, we have a tradition called 'zupu' (genealogy books) recording family history for generations. It's sad many were lost during the Cultural Revolution. Nice to hear Japan values its records.
In Canada, Indigenous ancestry research is complex, requiring combination of colonial records and oral histories. Japan's unified record system seems simpler.
Portugal has church records going back to medieval times, but they're not government-managed like Japan's registry system. Japan's system is superior in terms of reliability as official records.
In Vietnam, many family records were lost during the wars. Japan's genealogy culture and commitment to record preservation is admirable. There's much we in Asia can learn from this.
Interesting, but honestly, I question whether modern people need to know about ancestors from hundreds of years ago. Isn't living in the present more important?