Numerous wooden boats believed to have drifted from North Korea to Tohoku's Sea of Japan coast have been left where they washed up as local residents lack the financial resources to dispose of them.
Local governments cannot keep pace with the number of abandoned boats, some of which arrive carrying human remains.
The Japan Coast Guard has confirmed more than 80 such dilapidated and deserted boats have arrived since last November on the shores of Aomori, Akita and Yamagata prefectures.