The Professionals

Masatomi Yokoo, Bereavement Cleaner When a person dies, those they leave behind can face a daunting task: sorting through and disposing of the deceased's personal belongings. We focus on a professional who has dedicated his career to supporting people during this difficult time. Masatomi Yokoo, 49, is Japan's leading bereavement cleaner. This line of work emerged less than 20 years ago. But as Japan's population ages and more elderly live on their own, the number of such cleaning companies has topped 10,000. Yokoo himself has worked at more than 10,000 sites, and he outpaces the competition in requests and contracts. A funeral, Yokoo says, is a physical farewell, while cleaning out a home is an emotional farewell. He believes that more than just organizing objects, his work is about helping the bereaved come to terms with their grief.