Osaka Receives 21kg Gold Donation to Support Ageing Water System
Osaka: In an extraordinary gesture of civic generosity, the Japanese commercial hub of Osaka has received a donation of 21 kilograms of gold to help fund repairs to its ageing water infrastructure.
The gold, valued at approximately $3.6 million (£2.8 million), was donated in November by an individual who chose to remain anonymous. The same donor had reportedly contributed 500,000 yen (around $3,300) in cash to the municipal waterworks just a month earlier.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama described the contribution as astonishing.
“It’s an absolutely staggering amount,” he said, admitting he was momentarily lost for words. “I was shocked.”
Local media reports suggest that efforts to replace ageing water pipes across the city — home to around 2.8 million residents — have faced financial pressure after actual costs exceeded initial budget estimates.
City officials are expected to use the donation to support the ongoing maintenance and renewal of the water system, which is critical to ensuring a stable supply for residents and businesses.
The rare and sizeable gift has drawn widespread attention, highlighting both the scale of infrastructure challenges facing major cities and the unexpected acts of generosity that can help address them.
