The aftermath of Sogen Kato's discovery reminds me of another story I read about on HN years ago that covered the (quite uniquely Japan, as I understand it) cottage industry that has sprung up around cleaning up from Kodokushi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodokushi). That is, special cleaners who deal with the remains of Japenese salarymen who chose 50 years at Mitsubishi or Kyocera or whatever, instead of any descendents or social network that might notice their passing before their remains rot away in an apartment, unnoticed for months/years.

As someone who chose for personal and ethical reasons not to reproduce, and also struggles to maintain lasting relationships, I sure am glad I'm not Japanese at least! :)