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

BBC News ^ | 29 July 2010 Last updated at 18:24 | no byline

[a fool in paradise]

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.

...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: £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pension payments via Mr Kato's bank account since his wife died six years ago, and some of the money had recently been withdrawn...

[a fool in paradise]

“Living Buddah”

Seems to be a lot of this lately...

Indian court asked to decide whether revered Hindu guru is dead or just meditating
National Post ^ | May 29, 2014 | Dean Nelson, The Telegraph
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3161440/posts

[a fool in paradise]

Does this mean he gets a * by his name for his “Tokyo’s oldest” record?

[apillar]

"confined himself in his room more than 30 years ago and became a living Buddha,"

Or not...

[entropy12]

I always wonder how many dead people in US keep receiving social security checks/direct deposits. The way I understand it, the funeral place is required to report the death. But what if no funeral place is used...such as this mr. K?

[freedomlover]

Bernie Goes to Tokyo

[FatherofFive]

“I’m not dead yet!”

[a fool in paradise]

He’s pining.

[Raycpa]

but his granddaughter told them he "doesn't want to see anybody".

That's a true statement.

[ConservingFreedom]

They discovered a mummified body, believed to be Kato, lying in his bed, wearing underwear and pyjamas, covered with a blanket. [...] "His family must have known he has been dead all these years

Ya think?

[smokingfrog]

Just taking a 30 year cat nap!

[a fool in paradise]

His parrot is not going to take this news well...

[LucyT]

Ping!

wonder how many dead people in US keep receiving social security checks/direct deposits. The way I understand it, the funeral place is required to report the death. But what if no funeral place is used...such as this mr. K?

.

[Mastador1]

He’s pining.

Since he's Japanese and not Norwegian, is he pining for the rice patties instead of the fjords?

[Uncle Chip]

but his granddaughter told them he "doesn't want to see anybody".

He doesn't or he can't???

Police are now investigating the family on possible fraud charges.

ya think???

Mr Kato's relatives told police that he had "confined himself in his room more than 30 years ago and became a living Buddha,"

So that's what you call it.

[a fool in paradise]

How far away was Bowe Bergdahl from becoming a Living Buddah?

[GeronL]

I hope I don’t wake up one day and find out I’ve been dead for a long time

[bunkerhill7]

Confucius say family who say dead grandfather alive get stiff penalty.

[a fool in paradise]

[smokingfrog]

Fake but accurate.