'I have nothing but...': Anonymous donor gifts Rs 32 crore in gold bars to repair water infrastructure

Osaka gets rare gold donation to support water system upgrades (Photo: Osaka Municipal Waterworks Bureau)

• Osaka received 21 kg of gold bars for water system upgrades
• Anonymous donor gave gold worth $3.6 million to the city
• Funds will help fix ageing water pipes amid frequent leaks

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Osaka city has received a remarkable donation of 21 kilograms (46 pounds) of gold bars to support upgrades to its water system, according to a report by the BBC.

On Thursday, Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama revealed that an anonymous person donated gold worth roughly 560 million yen (Rs 32.75 crore) in November.

The city of Osaka, a key economic centre in Japan’s Kansai with almost three million people, has been struggling with an ageing water and sewage system. Several cities across the country face similar issues. According to the BBC, data from Osaka’s waterworks bureau showed that more than 90 leaks in underground water pipes under public roads occurred in 2024.

Speaking to reporters, Yokoyama called the donation “staggering” and said he was “lost for words.”

“Tackling ageing water pipes requires a huge investment. So I have nothing but appreciation,” he added.

The mayor also revealed that the same anonymous individual had earlier donated 500,000 yen in cash to help municipal water services.

According to the BBC, the city’s waterworks bureau expressed gratitude for the gold bars and said the funds will be used to fix and upgrade old water pipes.

Ageing Infrastructure is a growing concern across Japan. Local media reported that over 20% of Japan’s water pipes have passed their legally defined 40-year service lifespan, and the effects are becoming more visible.

"Tackling ageing water pipes requires a huge investment. So I have nothing but appreciation," Yokoyama told reporters on Thursday.

The BBC reported that the gold donation to Osaka would provide a much-needed boost to safeguard public infrastructure and avoid similar issues.

Last year, a huge sinkhole in Saitama Prefecture swallowed the truck cab, killing its driver. It was thought to have been caused by a broken sewage pipe. This incident pushed Japanese authorities to accelerate pipe replacements nationwide, but budget constraints have slowed the work.