• 21 kilograms of gold to support city utilities
• Frequent leaks and infrastructure past its service life

A Japanese city has received an unusual donation to help modernize its water infrastructure — 21 kilograms of gold bars.

Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama announced at a press conference that the contribution was made last November by an individual who chose to remain anonymous.

The gold is valued at 560 million yen (about $3.6 million).

Osaka, home to nearly three million people, is a major commercial center in the Kansai region and Japan’s third-largest city.

However, like many municipalities across the country, its water and sewage systems are showing clear signs of age, raising public safety concerns.

According to the city’s water bureau, more than 90 water pipe leaks were recorded beneath roadways during the 2024 fiscal year.

Yokoyama said addressing the issue will require substantial investment, expressing deep gratitude for the support and describing the donation as “enormous” and beyond expectations.

He added that the same donor had previously contributed 500,000 yen in cash to support municipal water services.

In a statement, the city’s water authority said the funds generated from the gold would be directed toward urgent projects, particularly replacing corroded pipes and preventing further deterioration of the network.

Local reports indicate that more than 20% of Japan’s water pipes have exceeded their legal service life of 40 years, increasing the risk of failures.

Several cities have also experienced a rise in sinkholes linked to aging sewage infrastructure.

In a notable incident last year, a massive sinkhole in Saitama Prefecture swallowed a truck, killing the driver. The collapse was believed to have been caused by a ruptured sewage pipe.

The incident prompted authorities to accelerate plans to replace damaged pipes, though financial constraints continue to slow progress.