JapanUpdated 0m ago
Japan's crematoriums overflow as FamilyMart hires Lady Gaga
What it means
Japan's crematoriums are overwhelmed by a surge in deaths, leading a Tokyo entrepreneur to open a hotel that stores the deceased. Separately, Lady Gaga stars in a FamilyMart ad to boost hiring, as about 30% of its 16,455 stores lack sufficient staff.
Why it matters
A Tokyo hotel storing the dead responds to overwhelmed crematoriums. FamilyMart, with roughly 30% of 16,455 stores understaffed, uses Lady Gaga in a September 25 ad with 69,000 YouTube views to recruit workers.
How it affects you
If you shop at FamilyMart, understaffing at about 30% of its 16,455 stores can mean longer waits. In Tokyo, a hotel storing the deceased offers an alternative when crematoriums are overwhelmed.
