Out with the Old

An anonymous donor has gifted the Osaka/ Yokoyama City water utility 21kg in gold bars valued at 566 million yen. Like many municipalities in Japan, Osaka's network of water mains and sewerage pipes is old, corroded, and in danger of collapse, which can result in sinkholes and costly property damage. The benefactor、who made the donation under an assumed name、 requested the monies be spent on renovating the city's 水道管。I am reminded of a family resort at which I worked in Colorado, USA, which solicited donations from guests (the camp attracted the well-heeled) to fund construction of accommodations (cabins, lodges) and other facilities (resort library, playing fields, swimming pool, and the like). These donors insisted their names be emblazoned across their gifts. The reaction of the Yokoyama City mayor: "感謝しかない。とんでもない金額で言葉ない"。