Abu, Yamaguchi
Abu (阿武町, Abu-chō) is a town located in Abu District, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. The town had a population of 3,372 in 2016.
Abu
阿武町 | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Abu Town Office | |
 Flag  Emblem | |
 Location of Abu in Yamaguchi Prefecture | |
  Abu Location in Japan | |
| Coordinates: 34°30′12″N 131°28′17″E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Chūgoku San'yō |
| Prefecture | Yamaguchi Prefecture |
| District | Abu |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Norihiko Hanada (from May 2017) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 116.07 km2 (44.81 sq mi) |
| Population (October 1, 2016) | |
| • Total | 3,372 |
| • Density | 29/km2 (75/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+09:00 (JST) |
| City hall address | 2636, Nako, Abu-cho, Abu-gun, Yamaguchi-ken 759-3622 |
| Website | www |
| Symbols | |
| Flower | Rhododendron |
| Tree | Kusunoki |
In April 2022, the town received nationwide attention after it mistakenly transferred its entire COVID-19 relief budget of 46.3 million yen (c. 358,000 USD) to a resident who subsequently lost the money in online casinos.
History
The town was founded on January 1, 1955.
Geography
Abu is located within the north of the Yamaguchi prefecture and borders the Sea of Japan on the north.
Neighbouring municipalities
Transportation
Railway
- JR West
- San'in Main Line: Utago - Kiyo - Nago
COVID-19 Relief Funds Incident
On April 8, 2022, a municipal official mistakenly transferred Abu's entire COVID-19 relief budget of 46.3 million yen (c. 358,000 USD) to Abu resident Sho Taguchi.[1][2] After promising to return the payment, Taguchi spent the money in online casinos.[1] The incident drew attention from Japan's national news media.[2] On May 18,[3] Taguchi was arrested and indicted for computer fraud for transferring 42.92 million yen of the 46.3 million yen to three online payment agents, knowing that the payment had been made in error.[1]
On May 24, the mayor of Abu, Norihiko Hanada, announced that almost 43 million yen of the money had been recovered.[3] On August 1, Taguchi was released on bail after paying 2.5 million yen, and commented that he is going to work and gradually pay the money back.[1]
References
- 日本放送協会. "阿武町誤振込事件 田口被告を保釈｜NHK 山口県のニュース". NHK. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
- Ueno, Hisako; Ives, Mike (2022-05-19). "A Town's Covid Money Was Sent to One Man in Error. He Gambled It All Away". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
- "Mayor: Town regained nearly all funds it sent man by mistake | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis". The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
