Windfall mine, says resident

Tokyo – A Japanese town that accidentally sent a resident $360 000 (about R5.7 million) in financial aid said yesterday it has been forced to file a lawsuit after the recipient refused to return the funds.

“We’re sorry to cause trouble to residents ... We’re now suing this household,” an official from Abu said, adding that the decision would be approved at a council meeting today.

Last month, the town in western Yamaguchi prefecture, sent 100 000 yen (R12 200) each to 463 low-income households affected by the pandemic.

But in the process, they mistakenly transferred an additional lump sum of 46.3 million yen to a single household.

Red-faced officials immediately visited the recipient, who has not been identified, and were told the money would be returned.

But despite frantic follow-up letters and calls, there was no sign of it.

When they finally made face-to-face contact again, according to a letter released by the mayor, the recipient admitted having “moved the money and being unable to return it but said they were willing to atone for the sin.”

The incident has made headlines in Japan.