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Life

A party before dying: Japanese are embracing the logic of the 'pre-funeral'

Terminally ill businessman wanted to say farewell on his own terms

Diagnosed with terminal cancer, former Komatsu President Satoru Anzaki wanted to say goodbye to his friends before it was too late. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

TOKYO -- With all the flowers and teary eyes, the send-off for Satoru Anzaki looked just like any other funeral, with one conspicuous difference: Anzaki was alive.

Having been diagnosed with terminal cancer, the former president of construction machinery maker Komatsu decided to host one last party.

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