Anonymous donor gives Osaka $3.6m in gold bars to repair water pipes
In Brief
Osaka received 21kg of gold worth $3.6m from an anonymous donor to fix ageing water infrastructure.
Key Facts
- An anonymous donor gave Osaka City Waterworks Bureau 21 kilograms (46 pounds) of gold bars valued at 560 million yen ($3.6 million)
- The gift was delivered in November with a request to use it specifically for repairing ageing water pipes
- Osaka's mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama expressed being 'lost for words' and showed appreciation for the donation
- Concerns about the city's water infrastructure safety increased after a sinkhole swallowed a truck and killed the driver last year
- The gold bars were handed over to the Osaka City Waterworks Bureau to address the dilapidated water system
What Happened
In November, an anonymous donor gave Osaka 21 kilograms of gold bars worth approximately $3.6 million to the city's Waterworks Bureau. The donor requested the funds be used to repair the city's ageing water pipes. Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama publicly acknowledged the gift and expressed gratitude.
Why It Matters
The donation comes amid growing concerns over Osaka's water infrastructure safety following a fatal sinkhole incident last year. The funds are intended to support critical repairs to the city's ageing water pipes, potentially improving public safety and infrastructure reliability.