Anonymous 21‑kg Gold Bars Valued at ¥560 Million Donated Osaka received 21 kg (46 lb) of gold bars worth ¥560 million ($3.6 million) from an unnamed benefactor, delivered to the city’s Waterworks Bureau in November, earmarked for pipe repairs [1][2]. The donation represents a rare private contribution to municipal infrastructure, matching a prior ¥500,000 cash gift from the same donor [2]. City officials highlighted the gift’s timing as crucial given escalating pipe failures.

Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama Labels Gift “Staggering” and Vows Immediate Use Mayor Yokoyama told reporters he was “lost for words” and called the donation “staggering,” pledging that the gold will be converted into funds for water‑pipe renewal projects [1][2]. He emphasized that addressing the aging network requires massive investment and that the city will honor the donor’s request without diversion [1]. The mayor’s statements aim to reassure residents about transparent allocation.

Aging Postwar Pipes Have Caused Over 90 Leaks and Demand Massive Replacement Osaka logged 92 water‑pipe leaks under city roads in the fiscal year ending March 2025, and officials estimate 259 km (160 mi) of pipe must be replaced, with a 2‑km segment costing about ¥500 million ($3.2 million) [1]. Nationwide, more than 20 % of Japan’s water pipes have exceeded the 40‑year legal service life, underscoring the urgency [2]. The city’s postwar‑built infrastructure ages faster than in newer urban areas, accelerating deterioration.

Sinkhole Fatality in Saitama Spurs Accelerated Pipe‑Replacement Efforts massive sinkhole in Saitama Prefecture last year, caused by a ruptured sewage pipe and resulting in a truck driver’s death, heightened national focus on aging water systems [1][2]. Authorities have pledged to speed up replacement programs, though budget constraints remain a challenge [2]. Osaka cites the incident as a catalyst for deploying the gold donation toward urgent pipe repairs.