More Japanese Drama

It's like something from the movies, but the toilet mystery gripping the Japanese public is far from make believe. Up and down the country's male public WCs, anonymous envelopes have been found with a moderate 10,000 Yen hidden inside, marked simply "remuneration". The twist comes with the fact that the writing has become progressively weaker as the total of 4m Yen (and counting) has been found over the recent months, suggesting that the (presumably) male gifter is suffering from some kind of fatal illness.

The story itself is a nice reminder that good can be done in the world, even in the face of the capitalisation of just about everything. It goes in stark contrast to the local government in Ripley who decided it would only be fair and good to charge people £50 for the use of sandbags in the desperate time just before the floods. Similarly, wellies were going for up to £80 at Glastonbury festival, in line with the appalling weather. Rather than just put their necks out and offer help to those in need, the current state of the world dictates that money be made at every possible oppurtunity. Maybe I'm old fashioned or naive, and will find myself poor in years to come, but I can at least give myself some self respect and feel content that I haven't conned anyone by pinning them into a corner until they pay up. Perhaps the mystery gifter in Japan is feeling guilty for a life lived in such a way, and is repenting by giving something back to the world. Perhaps not. I'd like to just accept that he is making a lot of people slightly happier on a day to day basis, and reaffirming everyone's faith in the human race.