bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Zoey Zhang

An insecticide company in Japan has attracted attention online by holding a memorial service for the insects it killed during product testing.
On December 23, around 100 employees from Earth Corporation gathered at Myodoji Temple in Hyogo prefecture, southern Japan, to honour the insects during a special ritual.
The annual tradition has been observed by the company for more than 40 years, Asahi Broadcasting Television reported.
Founded in Osaka in 1892, the Earth Corporation is Japan’s leading manufacturer of insecticides.

Japanese media reports said that the company’s research facility houses more than a million cockroaches plus more than 100 million fleas and other insects for testing purposes.
During the ritual, photographs of several experimental insects, including mosquitoes, cockroaches and mites, are placed in front of a Buddhist altar.
Employees take turns offering incense and praying for the peaceful rest of the insects that contributed to product development.
Tomohiro Kobori, head of the research and development department, told the media: “This is a valuable opportunity for us to reflect on insects and express our gratitude.”

The memorial, which lasts about an hour, included a monk chanting sutras and delivering a sermon. Previous sermon themes have reportedly included “Six Roots Purification”.
In Buddhism, the six roots refer to the six sense organs. Overcoming the delusions of these senses is believed to lead to a better life.
Buddhism is one of Japan’s major religions, with around 84.7 million followers according to 2013 statistics.
Some believers argue that in a people-centred world, creatures are often killed out of fear, regardless of whether they pose a threat, driven by human consciousness.

The bug memorial service at Earth Corporation began in the mid-1980s, though the initiator has not been revealed.
The insects raised and tested by the company had never caused harm to humans.
Some employees found the ritual “awkward” and “hilarious” at first.
However, eventually they were moved by the solemn atmosphere and began to grasp its deeper significance.
Mika Kawaguchi, an employee, once said the memorial changed how researchers relate to insects.
She told Oricon News: “The bugs helped us develop products that save lives and assist those affected by insect-borne diseases.”
Another, Takayuki Nagamatsu, told Nikkei Business: “For researchers working with experimental animals, mourning is a natural act. Even the smallest life is still a life.”
Earth Corporation’s philosophy, as outlined on its website, is “to live in harmony with life and achieve coexistence with the Earth”.
The company has rebranded its insect killer as “insect care products”, focusing on protecting people from insects and the diseases they carry rather than killing them.

The memorial service sparked a debate on social media.
One online observer said: “I respect this mindset. I hate bugs, but they are also part of life.”
Another wrote: “The insects killed by insecticides may not see themselves as pests. Therefore, I would like to thank the memorial service on behalf of those who use insect killers.”
“Humans kill animals to live comfortably, but we must remember we are taking lives,” said a third.
However, not everyone agrees.
One netizen said: “I still find this ironic. For insects, having the culprits attend their funeral must be very unpleasant.”


Japan insecticide firm holds memorial service to honour bugs killed during product testing

Nike tracksuit worn by Venezuela’s Maduro is selling out after viral photo

What is the relationship ‘swag gap’? From Hailey and Justin Bieber to Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco

Japan gamer, 12, plans to quit school to pursue esports, supported by parents, sparks debate

Viral stories

A Japanese insecticide company holds an annual memorial service to honour the insects it killed during product testing. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/YouTube

Company employees attend the ceremony. About 100 staff prayed for the dead insects. Photo: ABCTVnews

The event includes Buddhist monks chanting and the burning of incense. Photo: ABCTVnews

Some staff initially found the service awkward but eventually understood its deeper significance. Photo: ABCTVnews

Pictures of insects were placed on a Buddhist altar during the ceremony. Photo: ABCTVnews

‘Can’t buy true love’: Chinese man abducted as child returns to birth family after reunion

A man in China who was abducted 21 years ago has been reunited with his biological parents and has quickly severed ties with his previous life. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

Peng Congcong’s mother, above, searched for her missing son for more than two decades. Photo: Douyin

Happy family: Peng and his real father and mother cannot hide their delight. Photo: Douyin

A luggage-laden Peng left his previous life behind to return to the bosom of his birth family. Photo: Douyin

China university offers US$11,000 ‘micro’ overseas study to help students pass failed courses

A “micro-study abroad” programme at a university in China which costs parents US$11,000 to help their children “pass” failed exams has raised ethical concerns. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

The so-called micro-study abroad courses are being offered by Xian Technology and Business College, above. Photo: Handout

The parents of students were told that if they paid for the “micro study abroad” courses, their children would get priority treatment when choosing dormitories. Photo: AFP

Students outside Widener Library at Harvard University in the United States. The “study abroad” courses were said to involve no overseas studying. Photo: Reuters 

Chinese woman resembles actress Joey Wong after losing 20kg, plans dance career

A woman in China who became overweight because of binge eating has lost 20 kilogrammes and now looks like Taiwanese actress Joey Wong. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/Sohu

Liu Wendi, above, before and after her weight-loss transformation. Photo: 8days

Liu embarked on a strict dietary regime and regular fitness workouts. Photo: 8days

The dedication of the 32-year-old, above, achieved stunningly transformative results. Photo: 8days

Liu, above, says not only has she lost weight, the condition of her skin has also improved. Photo: 8days

Joey Wong pictured in 2001. Liu said she never intended to look like the actress. Photo: David Wong 

Japanese tourist in China receives extreme kindness after car crash, changing perceptions

A Japanese tourist in Beijing has expressed gratitude after she received extraordinary kindness following a car accident. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/X.com

The mangled wreckage of Takomanmaru’s car after the accident. Photo: QQ.com

The post-crash interior of Takomanmaru’s car. She suffered injuries to her spine, nose and teeth. Photo: QQ.com

Takomanmaru received many goodwill messages from Chinese netizens. Photo: QQ.com

Tourists in a snowy Beijing. Takomanmaru’s positive experience came despite current tensions between Japan and China. Photo: Xinhua

Japan girl pop group member comes out as transmasculine non-binary after breast removal

A member of the Xtraordinary Girls J-pop group has announced her identification as transmasculine non-binary after undergoing breast removal surgery, sparking a mixed online reaction. Photo: SCMP composite/X.com/IG@cocona_xg

Cocona recently shocked people online by shaving her head in a music video. Photo: Instagram/cocona_xg

The 20-year-old Cocona made the announcement about her identity on her birthday. Photo: Instagram/cocona_xg

Cocona underwent surgery earlier this year and shared photographs of her scars online. Photo: Instagram/cocona_xg

Xtraordinary Girls, with Cocona third from the right, perform in California in April. Photo: Getty Images 

News

People & Culture

Unusual 40-year-old tradition sees monk chant and employees pray for dead cockroaches, mites and fleas; critics find ceremony ‘ironic’


Unusual 40-year-old tradition sees monk chant and employees pray for dead cockroaches, mites and fleas; critics find ceremony ‘ironic’.


Japan

Japan insecticide firm holds memorial service to honour bugs killed during product testing

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Unusual 40-year-old tradition sees monk chant and employees pray for dead cockroaches, mites and fleas; critics find ceremony ‘ironic’

Unusual 40-year-old tradition sees monk chant and employees pray for dead cockroaches, mites and fleas; critics find ceremony ‘ironic’