By SCM REPORTER
A JAPANESE city has been left “speechless” after a real-life Midas walked into a government office and handed over a staggering £2.8 million ($3.6m) in solid gold bars.
The anonymous benefactor had just one condition for the glittering gift: stop the leaks and fix Osaka’s crumbling water system.
Staff at the municipal office were stunned when the mystery donor presented the haul of bullion, which weighed in at a massive total that left officials scrambling for a secure vault.
’I’m Speechless’
The Mayor of Osaka admitted he was floored by the random act of “heavy metal” kindness.
”I am simply speechless,” he told local reporters.
“We see donations, but never on this scale and certainly not in pure gold. This individual clearly has a very deep love for our city—and a very specific frustration with its infrastructure.”
Sources say the donor had grown “fed up” with the city’s ageing pipe network, which has been plagued by bursts and service interruptions in recent years.
Rather than writing a stern letter to the council, the mystery resident decided to foot the bill themselves—in the most extravagant way possible.
While Osaka is known for its neon lights and world-class street food, its “plumbing” has been showing its age.
The Problem: Like many major global hubs, Osaka’s underground water infrastructure dates back decades. Corroding cast-iron pipes have led to frequent “sinkhole” scares and wasted water.
The Cost: Replacing an entire city’s network is a multi-billion pound task that usually takes years of tax hikes and bureaucratic red tape.
The Solution: The £2.8m injection is expected to fast-track emergency repairs on the most critical “burst-prone” zones, saving the city years of planning.
Local residents have already dubbed the donor the “Golden Plumber.”
One local joked: “If he’s got any spare bars left, my kitchen tap has been dripping since 2022!”
The city has confirmed the gold will be liquidated and funneled directly into the waterworks fund, ensuring the donor’s “liquid assets” help keep the water flowing.
