Japan’s Osaka City received a surprising donation of 21 kilograms of gold bars worth a whopping 560 million yen (approximately 3.6 million USD) from an anonymous donor. The donor specified that the gold bars are to be used for the repair of the city’s aging water supply pipelines, a gesture that the city has pledged to honor.
According to reports from Kyodo News, the Osaka City government revealed during a press conference on February 19 that an anonymous individual had contacted the city government in November of last year expressing the intention to donate these gold bars to the city’s waterworks bureau to aid in the renovation of the aging water pipes.
Mayor of Osaka City, Hidetaka Yokoyama, expressed his astonishment at the generosity of the donation, stating, “The amount is so huge that words cannot describe it. Addressing the issue of aging water pipes requires significant investment. I can only express my gratitude.”
The problem of aging water pipes has been a recurring issue across Japan. In January of last year, the city of Yashio in Saitama Prefecture experienced a sewer damage incident leading to road collapse. Many of Osaka City’s water pipes were constructed during the period of rapid economic growth and are also facing aging problems.
As reported by the Associated Press, Osaka City witnessed a major collapse incident last year, where a truck was engulfed, resulting in the tragic death of the driver. This incident was linked to the damaged sewer system in Saitama Prefecture.
Osaka City Waterworks Bureau official Eiji Kotani informed the news agency on February 20 that during the fiscal year ending in March 2025, Osaka City had a total of 92 incidents of leaks in underground water pipes beneath roads.
Mayor Yokoyama reiterated his commitment to respect the donor’s wishes and utilize the gold bars for the restoration of the aging water pipes.
With a population of 2.8 million, Osaka City is Japan’s third-largest city and serves as the capital of the western region of Japan. The city’s urban development occurred earlier compared to other cities, hence the infrastructure is showing signs of aging.
In a previous report by Epoch Times, factors such as continuous concerns over inflation, geopolitical tensions, and a weakening US dollar have contributed to the steady rise in gold prices throughout 2025.
According to prices quoted by APMEX, an online retailer of gold and precious metals in the United States, the current price of a 1-ounce gold bar is approximately 5,300 USD.
The company mentioned that 1-ounce gold bars have become a popular investment choice due to their moderate pricing and ease of trading. Various factors including supply and demand dynamics, economic conditions, geopolitical events, and investor sentiment can influence the price of 1 ounce of gold.