When a Japanese retiree who had settled in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai died in June, his body lay undiscovered for a week at his home, where he had lived alone.

The man, who was in his 70s, was among a number of Japanese who have chosen to spend their retirement overseas, many of whom never return to Japan. The man had been out of contact with his family for more than 20 years. Finding surviving relatives proved challenging; it took two months before his body could be cremated.

"He was polite and kind," said a Japanese woman, also in her 70s, who lived next door. "But I had the impression that he didn't want to socialize with others. I wish I could've taken a step further to have a better relationship with him."