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  "path": "/news/world/japan-news-zoo-shut-employee-wife-body-before-shift",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-29T01:17:31.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Britons issued Japan travel warning after tourists spiked and thousands stolen from bank accounts",
    "Diver’s discovery sparks major dispute over Asia’s answer to Atlantis",
    "Japan exporting lethal weapons for first time since end of World War Two",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nA Japanese zoo employee has allegedly admitted to dumping his wife's body in a workplace incinerator before clocking in for his shift.\n\nThe brutal crime is said to have occurred at Asahiyama Zoo in the northern city of Asahikawa, with authorities now carrying out extensive searches in animal enclosures for any clues related to her death.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe employee - who has only been identified as a man in his 30s - has been arrested on suspicion of illegally dumping his wife's body.\n\nThe woman had been reported missing last month, with a concerned colleague of hers phoning the police after she was unable to get into contact with her.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nWhen questioned, the man could not explain his wife's sudden disappearance - and is said to have given a number of bizarre explanations as to why he was unable to reach her.\n\nHe was later probed by the authorities on April 23, where he allegedly confessed to destroying her body in the zoo's incinerator.\n\nPolice have yet establish the woman's cause of death prior to her body being disposed of.\n\nIn response to the Investigation, Asahiyama Zoo has been forced to shut until May, with plans for its \"Golden Week\" celebrations postponed.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe popular tourist hotspot had already been closed for renovations ahead of the peak season over the coming months.\n\nThe city's mayor, Hirosuke Imazu, apologised for the “great inconvenience”, adding that the decision to postpone its opening was \"painful\".\n\nHe thanked the public for the \"many encouraging messages”, saying they had been “a great source of strength for the zoo and its staff\" during the difficult period.\n\nLocals have reportedly voiced concerns about how the incident may damage the zoo's reputation, with warnings that a drop in guests could have damaging implications for the city's economy, according to local media.\n\n### JAPAN - READ THE LATEST:\n\n\n\n\n  * Britons issued Japan travel warning after tourists spiked and thousands stolen from bank accounts\n  * Diver’s discovery sparks major dispute over Asia’s answer to Atlantis\n  * Japan exporting lethal weapons for first time since end of World War Two\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMayor Imazu warned visitors there could be “sudden closures or limiting access to certain areas” as the authorities continue their investigation into the death.\n\nOfficials confirmed that the zoo was fully cooperating with the probe and that animals were still being looked after despite the attraction's closure.\n\nOne Asahikawa official said: “A zoo exists to be seen by visitors.\n\n\"We made our final decision based on the voices of the public, who said: ‘We want things to return to normal as soon as possible.’”\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAsahiyama Zoo first opened its doors to the public in 1967, and is the country's most northern wildlife park.\n\nThe attraction drew in more than 1.33 million visitors in 2025.\n\nIt is widely known for its “behavioural exhibits\", giving zoo-goers a chance to observe the natural behaviours of a variety of creatures.\n\nThere are around 96 wildlife parks across the country - overseen by the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums - with Yokohama Zoo \"Zoorasia\" being the largest.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Zoo forced to shut after employee 'disposes of wife's body in incinerator' before starting shift"
}