WEIRD NEWS OF THE WEEK: Tokyo's oldest man actually dead for 30 years

Officials who went to congratulate the supposedly 111 year-old man uncovered mummified skeletal remains lying in his bed.

17:18 04 June 2014

Officials in Tokyo, Japan wanted to congratulate Sogen Kato when he reached his 111th birthday making him Tokyo’s oldest man. 

 

However, when they arrived at his house, his granddaughter told them that he “doesn’t want to see anybody.” 

 

Welfare officials, who are understood to have tried to meet with Mr Kato several times this year, grew suspicious and asked for police assistance. 

 

The police then uncovered mummified skeleton remains lying in his bed after they forced their way into the house on Wednesday. The mummified body was lying on a bed wearing underwear and pyjamas, covered with a blanket. 

 

According to a report by Jiji Press, Mr Kato’s relatives told police that they he had "confined himself in his room more than 30 years ago and became a living Buddha.” However, the family received 9.5 million yen in widower’s pension payments via Mr Kato’s bank account since his wife died six years ago. 

 

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

 

Police are now investigating the family on possible fraud charges.