Navigating Digital Remains: Ethical Challenges and Cultural Perspectives from Japan
This empirical study investigates the perceptions and ethical challenges surrounding digital remains among bereaved families in Japan. An online survey was conducted between 2020 and 2021 among 1,200 Japanese individuals aged 20 to 70 who had lost a close relative. The purpose of the survey was to understand attitudes and behaviors toward digital remains. The results revealed that only a small percentage of bereaved families had access to digital data. Those who lived with the deceased or attended the funeral were more likely to preserve the deceased’s data, and younger generations showed a greater willingness to preserve digital data. While photographic data was often treated similarly to traditional printed photographs, many respondents expressed concerns about how digital conversation records, such as chats and messages, were handled.
Qualitative comments indicated a strong intention to preserve memories while respecting the privacy of the deceased. However, those who had lost a spouse or a cousin of the same generation frequently expressed sentiments like “it’s too painful to watch.” Concerns about the privacy and intentions of the deceased were also common in relation to digital data. The survey further explored attitudes toward using AI to “recreate” the deceased based on digital remains. Only 1.3% of respondents supported using AI for this purpose, underscoring significant ethical concerns.
The findings emphasize that handling digital remains is not merely a technical issue but a deeply philosophical and ethical one. Questions may arise about whether deceased individuals have rights that require protection. In Japan, however, there are cultural values and customs that involve feeling the presence of the deceased and speaking of them in familiar ways, such as “your deceased grandmother is watching over you.” In such contexts, protecting the autonomy of the deceased may not be perceived as unnatural.
The desire of survivors to view and commemorate the deceased’s data often conflicts with the need to protect the deceased’s privacy, particularly with social networking services that connect living individuals. If the deceased wished to maintain autonomy after death, hidden accounts might remain undisclosed, potentially contrary to the wishes of the bereaved family. These inconsistencies highlight the complexity of managing digital remains.
The desire of survivors to view and commemorate the deceased’s data often conflicts with the need to protect the deceased’s privacy, particularly with social networking services that connect living individuals. If the deceased wished to maintain autonomy after death, hidden accounts might remain undisclosed, potentially contrary to the wishes of the bereaved family. These inconsistencies highlight the complexity of managing digital remains.
About Prosfessor Akiko Orita
Akiko Orita, a Japanese scholar based in Japan, holds a Ph.D. from Keio University and has served as faculty at Chuo University, Keio University, and Kennesaw State University. She is currently a Professor at Kanto Gakuin University. Her research focuses on privacy, digital identity, and the ethical handling of data after death.
Additionally, she has been involved in projects promoting Digital Citizenship education for youth. Orita’s work bridges the gap between theoretical research and practical application, contributing significantly to the understanding of digital ethics in a rapidly changing society.
