A well-known Japanese zoo employee committed the act of burning his wife's body in an animal incinerator, which is normally used to dispose of animal carcasses. Police are currently investigating the details of the incident.
Foreign news agencies reported on 29 Apr 2026 that Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa city, one of Japan's most popular zoos, remains closed as police intensify their search for the missing woman after her husband claimed he had thrown her body into the zoo's incinerator, which is typically used for animal carcass disposal.
Journalists from the BBC, The Japan Times, and the daily The Asahi Shimbun all reported that the Asahiyama Zoo employee confessed to burning his wife's body after local police began questioning him about her disappearance in recent days.
The Japan Times reported that the man's wife went missing since late March, but the police only received a missing person report last Thursday after a friend of hers filed the report.
Meanwhile, Hokkaido Television Broadcasting reported that the man voluntarily gave a statement to police last week, saying he "disposed of the body in the zoo's waste incinerator and burned it for several hours."
The Asahi Shimbun reported the suspect is a man in his 30s. It remains unclear how the woman died or whether the man is a homicide suspect.
The BBC further reported that this zoo first opened in 1967 and is considered one of Japan's most popular zoos due to its unique architectural design and exhibits.
The report stated that the zoo was scheduled to open for the summer season this week but remains closed as police continue searching for the missing woman's body. The Asahi Shimbun noted the zoo will stay closed at least until 1 May.
Hiroshige Imazu, mayor of Asahikawa city, said at a press conference that the situation represents an "unprecedented crisis" for officials and the local government.
"No one ever expected something like this to happen. I feel deeply concerned, and we are now facing a crisis of an unprecedented scale," said Mayor Imazu. "We are preparing to welcome everyone and hope as many people as possible will visit this zoo."
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Source:people