A New Column in Weekly NY Seikatsu: Exploring Life and Death
We’re excited to share that Masumi Murata, founder and CEO of YOMI International, has begun a six-part column in Weekly NY Seikatsu, a Japanese-language newspaper published in New York.
The series, “Looking at Life and Death”, explores a simple but profound question:
What can thinking about death teach us about how we live?
The column is part of the journey toward Memento Mori in NYC — The Art of Japanese Life & Death, taking place November 5–6 in New York.
The first article: Why talk about our views on life and death in New York?
In the first installment, Masumi shares the story behind Memento Mori in NYC and why she believes that thinking about death can actually bring us closer to life.
Rather than treating death as something to avoid or fear, the series explores how facing mortality can help us reconsider what matters most in our everyday lives—our relationships, our families, the way we care for others, and the way we want to live.
What’s coming in the next five installments?
The upcoming articles will feature leaders from different fields related to end-of-life care, family support, funerals, memorials, and housing:
Episode 2 — September 26A conversation about how confronting death can make us appreciate the preciousness of today, including the short film Saigo no, Arigato (“The Final Thank You”).
Episode 3 — October 3What Japanese people living overseas need to know when caring for aging parents in Japan, including family trusts and monitoring services.
Episode 4 — October 10How a 50-year-old funeral products company is preserving craftsmanship while exploring new forms of funerals—including a coffin inspired by the legendary Japanese artist Hokusai.
Episode 5 — October 17A look at the essence of memorial practices from the perspective of a family that has been working in the stone and memorial industry for 278 years.
Episode 6 — October 24Why homes and real estate in Japan remain an important issue for Japanese people living overseas—from inheritance and vacant homes to the possibility of eventually returning to Japan.
Together, these stories explore a broader question:
How can we think about death in a way that helps us live more fully?
We hope this conversation, which began in Japan and continues in New York, will open up new perspectives on life, death, family, and the ways we care for one another.
📖 Read the first installment
The digital edition of Weekly NY Seikatsu is available here.Japanese Only
Memento Mori in NYC — The Art of Japanese Life & DeathNovember 5–6, 2026RESOBOX East Village, New York
Thinking about death is a way of thinking about life.
We look forward to continuing the conversation in New York.
