111-year-old man found dead in bed, mummified for 30 years, family faces fraud charges
When officials in Tokyo went to congratulate Sogen Kato on his 111th birthday, they never expected to find mummified skeletal remains lying in his bed. Mr Kato had been thought to be the oldest man in the city, but it turns out that he had been dead for 30 years. His family is now facing possible fraud charges as they had been receiving pension payments in his name.
The tragic story of Sogen Kato is one of deceit and fraud, where his family had been receiving pension payments in his name despite knowing that he had been dead for 30 years. They had even gone as far as to claim that he had "confined himself in his room more than 30 years ago and became a living Buddha".
Learn about the shocking discovery of Sogen Kato, who was thought to be the oldest man in Tokyo, but had been dead for 30 years. His family is now facing fraud charges for receiving pension payments in his name. This tragic story raises questions about the pension system in Japan and the need for vigilance in reporting suspicious activity.
Suspicions arise when officials are turned away from Kato's home
The story of Sogen Kato began to unravel when welfare officials tried to meet him 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.
Mummified remains found in Kato's bed, family claims he became a living Buddha
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: £70,000) 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pension payments via Mr Kato's bank account since his wife died six years ago, and some of the money had recently been withdrawn.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.
The case of Sogen Kato is not only tragic but also raises questions about the pension system in Japan and how it can be exploited by those who seek to profit from it. It is a reminder that we must always be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
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