The number of people who purchased traditional Japanese-style gravestones has halved over the past 14 years but Western-style memorials remain popular options, and those with designs unique to the deceased have experienced a sharp rise, according to an annual industry survey.
This year's survey by a Tokyo-based national association of gravestone dealers shows the average cost of gravestones was ¥1.63 million, down from ¥1.74 million in 2004.
Customers attached great importance to the color of the stones and quality of the materials, as well as cost.