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Big Issue Japan founder Shoji Sano dies at 84
Versión 2: Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun obituaries add the magazine's current price, vendor numbers and cumulative sales and income figures, plus the place of death and a planned farewell gathering that Nikkei described as already held with close relatives.
En breve
Shoji Sano, founder of the Japanese edition of the street magazine Big Issue, died on September 19 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 84, at his home in Osaka Prefecture. NPO Big Issue Japan announced the death on October 5 and said the funeral was held privately with close relatives only. The magazine, launched in 2003 as the Japanese edition of the London-founded title, sells for 500 yen a copy, with homeless vendors keeping half the sale price.
Leer la noticia completa 2 min de lectura
Shoji Sano, the founder of the Japanese edition of the street magazine Big Issue, died on September 19 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 84, according to obituary notices published by Tokyo Shimbun, Nikkei, Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun. Yomiuri Shimbun reported that he died at his home in Osaka Prefecture and that he was from Osaka City. NPO Big Issue Japan announced the death on October 5, Livedoor News reported, quoting the organisation as saying he “passed away from pancreatic cancer on September 19, 2026, at the age of 84.” [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 8 ]
Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Sano worked as a planner on urban and regional issues before launching the Japanese edition in September 2003. Nikkei described the magazine as the Japanese version of a title first launched in London, structured so that homeless people sell copies themselves and receive part of the sales revenue, a model described as supporting their self-reliance. [ 2 , 5 , 8 ]
According to NPO Big Issue Japan, the magazine now sells for 500 yen a copy: homeless vendors sell it on the street and half the sale price becomes their income, Asahi Shimbun reported. About 70 people sell it nationwide, 536 issues have been published, and by the end of March 2026 a total of 10.31 million copies had been sold, generating 1,704,290,000 yen in income for homeless people, the NPO said. [ 5 ]
The funeral was held with close relatives only. Livedoor News reported the NPO's statement that the funeral was a family funeral for close relatives only, and that at the family's request condolence money, flowers and offerings would be declined, with the organisation expressing thanks for the goodwill shown to Sano during his lifetime. Nikkei reported that the funeral and farewell ceremony were held with close relatives, while Yomiuri Shimbun reported that a farewell gathering is planned for a later date. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 8 ]
Livedoor News reported that Sano was co-representative of the company Big Issue Japan and the first representative of the NPO Big Issue Fund, and that he had served as an advisor to NPO Big Issue Japan since April 2026. [ 4 ]
Por qué importa
The magazine Sano founded is described in the documents as a project to support the self-reliance of homeless people, with vendors selling copies themselves and receiving part of the revenue. According to figures reported by Asahi Shimbun, it has generated about 1.7 billion yen in income for its vendors since launch. The documents do not say who will now lead the organisation.
Datos clave
- Shoji Sano died on September 19, 2026, of pancreatic cancer at the age of 84. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 8 ]
- He was the founder of the Japanese edition of the magazine Big Issue. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 8 ]
- Yomiuri Shimbun reported he died at his home in Osaka Prefecture and was from Osaka City. [ 8 ]
- The Japanese edition was launched in 2003 as the Japanese version of a title first published in London, in which homeless people sell copies and keep part of the revenue. [ 2 , 5 , 8 ]
- According to NPO Big Issue Japan, the magazine sells for 500 yen a copy and about 70 people sell it nationwide; 536 issues have been published and 10.31 million copies had been sold by the end of March 2026, producing 1,704,290,000 yen in income for homeless vendors. [ 5 ]
- The funeral was held with close relatives only. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 8 ]
- Livedoor News reported Sano was co-representative of the company Big Issue Japan, the first representative of the NPO Big Issue Fund and an advisor to NPO Big Issue Japan since April 2026. [ 4 ]
Confirmado por varias fuentes
Aún sin aclarar
- Whether NPO Big Issue Japan announced the death on October 5 Reported by a single outlet, Livedoor News, citing the NPO's statement
- Sano's roles as co-representative of the company Big Issue Japan and first representative of the NPO Big Issue Fund, and his advisory role since April 2026 Reported by a single outlet, Livedoor News
- The magazine's price, vendor numbers and cumulative sales and income figures Reported by a single outlet, Asahi Shimbun, citing NPO Big Issue Japan
- Whether a farewell gathering was already held or will be held later Nikkei reported the funeral and farewell ceremony were held with close relatives, while Yomiuri reported a farewell gathering is planned for a later date
Qué dicen los medios locales
Cronología, hora local
- September 19, 2026: Sano dies of pancreatic cancer at the age of 84. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 8 ]
- October 1, 2026: the magazine publishes its 536th issue. [ 8 ]
- October 5, 2026: NPO Big Issue Japan announces the death and says the funeral was held privately. [ 4 ]
- October 5: Tokyo Shimbun publishes an obituary notice for Sano. [ 1 ]
- October 5: Nikkei publishes its obituary, citing the 2003 founding and the vendor model. [ 2 ]
- October 6: Tokyo Shimbun publishes another obituary page for Sano. [ 3 ]
- October 6: Livedoor News reports the NPO's announcement and Sano's roles at the company and the fund. [ 4 ]
- October 6: Asahi Shimbun publishes its obituary with the magazine's current sales and income figures. [ 5 , 6 ]
- October 6: Jiji Press publishes an obituary notice on the founder's death. [ 7 ]
- October 6: Yomiuri Shimbun reports he died at his home in Osaka Prefecture and that a farewell gathering is planned later. [ 8 ]