Tokyo's 'oldest man' had been dead for 30 years

[Craig 6701]

There's fraud and then there's 'more interest in money than your own family'...

 

He was thought to be the oldest man in Tokyo - but when officials went to congratulate Sogen Kato on his 111th birthday, they uncovered mummified skeletal remains lying in his bed.

 

Mr Kato may have been dead for 30 years according to Japanese authorities.

 

They grew suspicious when they went to honour Mr Kato at his address in Adachi ward, but his granddaughter told them he "doesn't want to see anybody".

 

Police are now investigating the family on possible fraud charges.

 

Welfare officials had tried to meet Mr Kato since early this year. But when they went to visit, family members repeatedly chased them away, according to Tomoko Iwamatsu, an Adachi ward official.

 

Authorities grew suspicious and sought an investigation by police, who forced their way into the house on Wednesday.

 

They discovered a mummified body, believed to be Kato, lying in his bed, wearing underwear and pyjamas, covered with a blanket.

 

Mr Kato's relatives told police that he had "confined himself in his room more than 30 years ago and became a living Buddha," according to a report by Jiji Press.

 

But the family had received 9.5 million yen ($109,000) in widower's pension payments via Mr Kato's bank account since his wife died six years ago, and some of the money had recently been withdrawn.

 

The pension fund had long been unable to contact Mr Kato.

 

"His family must have known he has been dead all these years and acted as if nothing happened. It's so eerie," said Yutaka Muroi, a Tokyo metropolitan welfare official.

 

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-10809128

[Gejon 2]

RIP.

[Monroe Transfer 0]

He was a good man.

[parkinpants 0]

This is a typical Chinese scam.... happens a lot more often than you'd think ? To mummify him and keep him his underpants though is pretty hardcore !

[ewerk 31596]

If only it'd happened in China you might have had a point.

[parkinpants 0]

touche...

 

the Japs just have to take it 1 step further

 

If only it'd happened in China you might have had a point.

[Kitman 2207]

Apparently they also claim Oba Martins is in his 20's.....

[Guest alex]

Not now Kato.

[Rob W 0]

There's fraud and then there's 'more interest in money than your own family'...

 

He was thought to be the oldest man in Tokyo - but when officials went to congratulate Sogen Kato on his 111th birthday, they uncovered mummified skeletal remains lying in his bed.

 

Mr Kato may have been dead for 30 years according to Japanese authorities.

 

They grew suspicious when they went to honour Mr Kato at his address in Adachi ward, but his granddaughter told them he "doesn't want to see anybody".

 

Police are now investigating the family on possible fraud charges.

 

Welfare officials had tried to meet Mr Kato since early this year. But when they went to visit, family members repeatedly chased them away, according to Tomoko Iwamatsu, an Adachi ward official.

 

Authorities grew suspicious and sought an investigation by police, who forced their way into the house on Wednesday.

 

They discovered a mummified body, believed to be Kato, lying in his bed, wearing underwear and pyjamas, covered with a blanket.

 

Mr Kato's relatives told police that he had "confined himself in his room more than 30 years ago and became a living Buddha," according to a report by Jiji Press.

 

But the family had received 9.5 million yen ($109,000) in widower's pension payments via Mr Kato's bank account since his wife died six years ago, and some of the money had recently been withdrawn.

 

The pension fund had long been unable to contact Mr Kato.

 

"His family must have known he has been dead all these years and acted as if nothing happened. It's so eerie," said Yutaka Muroi, a Tokyo metropolitan welfare official.

 

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-10809128

 

I know the feeling.........

[TicTacWoe 0]

Now it seems that Tokyo's oldest woman is also long dead...

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-10848254

[Guest alex]

"Her daughter told them she had not been in contact with her mother when she moved into the flat in 1986. But she had registered her mother as living there, and kept paying her health insurance, just in case."

 

Aah, isn't that sweet?