Full Breakdown
Asahiyama Zoo Delays Summer Opening Amid Investigation into Alleged Body Disposal
4/30/2026, 7:12:00 AM
Alleged Body Disposal Triggers Zoo Closure
Police in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, are probing a claim by a male Asahiyama Zoo employee that he burned his missing wife’s body in the zoo’s animal-carcass incinerator. The allegation emerged after a friend reported the woman, in her 30s, missing in late March. The zoo, closed for seasonal maintenance since 8 April, postponed its planned summer reopening pending the investigation.
Background, Popularity and Economic Role
Opened in 1967, Asahiyama Zoo draws over one million visitors annually (1.33 million in 2025) and is famed for glass-dome enclosures that showcase animal behavior. The facility was slated to reopen for Golden Week after a three-week renovation break.
Principal Actors
The employee, a man in his 30s, voluntarily spoke to investigators. Mayor Hirosuke Imazu leads the municipal response. Local police, including Hokkaido Television Broadcasting, have searched the zoo grounds, incinerator, the couple’s home, and seized three vehicles, one a zoo-owned car.
Timeline of Investigation
- Late March: Wife disappears; friend files missing-person report.
- 23 April: Employee tells police he “disposed of the body in the zoo’s incinerator and burned it for several hours.”
- 24 April: Police search zoo premises, incinerator and animal hospital.
- 26 April: Mayor Imazu announces indefinite postponement of reopening; closure extended at least until Friday, with some reports citing 1 May.
Impact and Local Concerns
The zoo’s closure threatens Asahikawa’s tourism revenue, as the attraction contributes significantly to the local economy. Residents fear reputational damage and possible “sudden closures or limited access” that could depress attendance. An official emphasized that “a zoo exists to be seen by visitors,” highlighting the stakes for long-term patronage.
Official Statements & Police Response
Mayor Imazu called the case “a crisis of unprecedented magnitude,” expressed “immense anxiety,” and apologized for the “great inconvenience” caused by the delay. Police have not announced charges and continue searching for the woman’s remains, while confirming cooperation with zoo staff to maintain animal care.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No human remains have been found and the cause of death is unknown. Authorities have not disclosed formal charges. The zoo’s closure is reported as lasting “until Friday” by the mayor, while the Asahi Shimbun cites a deadline of 1 May. The employee’s full identity and legal status remain undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “No one could have predicted it,” — Hirosuke Imazu, Mayor of Asahikawa
- “I am overcome with immense anxiety, and I am facing a crisis of unprecedented magnitude.” — Hirosuke Imazu, Mayor of Asahikawa
- “disposed of the body in the zoo's incinerator and burned it for several hours.” — Unnamed Asahiyama Zoo employee
- “One Asahikawa official said: “A zoo exists to be seen by visitors.” — Asahikawa official
What's Next
Police continue to search the incinerator and surrounding areas. The city has pledged to maintain animal care during the closure and will announce a definitive reopening date after the investigation concludes.
