Bones are made up of components such as mucopolysaccharide proteins, calcium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, and calcium carbonate. Mucopolysaccharide proteins are a complex of water-retaining, sticky sugar chains that connect the approximately 60 trillion cells that make up the human body. Cremation evaporates these components. Therefore, cremated remains consist of calcium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, and calcium carbonate.

The main component of cremated remains is calcium phosphate. Calcium phosphate is a colorless crystal found naturally as apatite. It is found not only in animal bones and teeth, but also in soil, where it is essential for plant growth. While it is practically insoluble in water or ethanol, it is soluble in nitric acid and hydrochloric acid. Many people may be familiar with calcium phosphate, as it is commonly sold as a calcium supplement and fertility supplement. In addition to its use in dietary supplements and calcium supplements, calcium phosphate is used in a variety of applications, including as a pH adjuster, buffer, anti-caking agent, in fertilizers, animal feed, abrasives, toothpaste, ceramic manufacturing, and sugar decolorization. The calcium phosphate market is estimated to reach US$922.75 million in 2023, US$968.63 million in 2024, and US$1,448.27 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.65%. Demand is expected to grow significantly due to increasing global demand. The pharmaceutical industry is growing due to an aging population and rising healthcare spending worldwide, and the demand for calcium carbonate is expected to experience significant growth in the future. The global pharmaceutical industry is currently valued at approximately US$12.5 trillion and is expected to grow at a rate of 13.74% from 2020 to 2027, reaching approximately US$54 billion by 2036. However, Japan's domestic production of phosphorus is limited, and the country is currently largely dependent on imports.

Magnesium phosphate is a salt containing magnesium and phosphate. It can be incorporated into various cosmetic formulations, including creams, lotions, and powders. It is highly absorbed by the skin and rapidly converted into vitamin C by phosphatases in the body. It inhibits the production of melanin, which causes sunburn, age spots, and freckles, resulting in beautiful skin. It is also used as a dietary supplement to provide magnesium and as a pH adjuster in foods. It can also be used in applications such as fire-resistant binders and metal surface treatment agents. The global magnesium phosphate market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% from 2022 to 2030, reaching US$2 billion by 2030.

Calcium carbonate is a common substance found in rocks and marine shells and is found in various minerals. Calcium carbonate is the main component of seashells, coral skeletons, eggshells, limestone, marble, stalactites, chalk, calcite, and aragonite. Its wide-ranging applications include livestock feed, building materials, concrete, fillers, fertilizers, and paints. The pigment made by firing seashells, known as gofun, is used in Japanese paintings, dolls, and woodwork. In the ceramics industry, it is used as a melting agent for lime glazes and low-fired semi-porcelain bases. Calcium carbonate is also approved as a food additive. According to the latest research report on the calcium carbonate market, the calcium carbonate market was valued at USD 23.8 billion in 2022. It is expected to grow by approximately USD 42.2 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% from 2023 to 2032.

"Forest scattering" is a natural burial where the remains are returned to nature. It is similar to "tree burial," which involves burial at the base of a tree, but is slightly different. While "tree burial" involves digging a hole in the ground and burying the remains in an urn, "forest scattering" involves grinding the remains into a fine powder beforehand and scattering them in the mountains. The remains are not buried underground, but rather scattered over the ground like the "Grandpa Who Made Flowers Bloom." In the wild, grass grows and bare ground is rarely found, so the white remains are not left in one place. The powdered remains gradually return to the soil as they are exposed to wind and rain. Furthermore, while in a typical "tree burial," the remains are exhumed and interred after a certain number of years, in the case of "forest scattering," the remains cannot be manually retrieved, so they rest there forever. Japan has a long tradition of "mountain worship," which views the entire mountain as a sacred object. ・・・

"Ocean scattering" is a funeral method that has become popular not only in Japan but around the world. Scattering ashes into rivers is not permitted in Japan, so this method seems to be gaining popularity. It is particularly popular as a way to say goodbye to a deceased loved one, and services such as chartering a motorboat or cruiser to scatter ashes offshore are popular. However, the drawbacks of this method include the fact that the ocean is easily affected by weather, which can suddenly result in a cancellation on the scheduled date, and the relatively high cost of chartering a boat. Our company, SANKOTSUYAMA, offers an "Ocean Scattering Plan," which uses our small boat, eliminating the additional cost of chartering a boat. All costs are included in the price. Furthermore, "ocean scattering" does not necessarily require the services of a specialized scattering company. Individuals are not prohibited from scattering powdered ashes into the sea. However, scattering ashes is prohibited near fishing ・・・