Japanese man with cancer found a huge sum of money on the day he learned he had remaining life, squandered nearly 3.72 million yuan and was sentenced to 6 months in prison

(Central News Agency, Tokyo, 7th, comprehensive foreign news reports) In March this year, a Japanese man was declared by doctors that his cancer had recurred and that he only had 2 to 3 months to live. On the same day, he actually found 22 million yen in cash on the roadside. He took the money for himself and squandered it lavishly. On the 6th, he was sentenced to 6 months in prison by the court for embezzlement.

Japan's TBS TV station and TV Asahi reported that on March 5 this year, the 43-year-old defendant Suenaga Takuya was told that the cancer had recurred in the hospital where he was hospitalized, and the doctor declared that he only had 2 to 3 months to live.

On his way back home, Suenaga found a bag dropped on the roadside in Aoba District, Sendai City. Curious about the contents of the bag, he picked it up and took it to a nearby park toilet to open it, only to find that it contained 22 million yen (approximately NT$4.55 million) in cash.

"I felt at the time that this was given to me by God," Suenaga said in court.

He used the money to visit his girlfriend's hometown in Vietnam, travel to Ise with friends, eat and pay for treatment. By the time he was arrested in July, he had spent about 18 million yen (approximately NT$3.72 million).

The report pointed out that the cash was accidentally dropped by security company personnel who were transporting the cash. Suenaga was arrested in July on suspicion of embezzlement. At that time, he had exceeded the remaining life span declared by doctors.

At the first trial on October 19, the prosecutor believed that Suenaga had committed an "extremely selfish act" and requested a one-year detention sentence; the defense requested a suspended sentence.

The loss of the security company has been compensated by insurance. Suenaga must repay 30,000 yen to the insurance company every month, but it is expected to take more than 50 years to pay off.

Sendai District Court announced the verdict on the 6th. The judge pointed out: "It has to be said that it is doubtful whether the defendant can really fulfill the requirement of repaying 30,000 yen per month for more than 50 years."

Regarding the fact that Suenaga picked up the cash only after he was informed of his remaining life, the judge said: "Even if he gave up on himself because of the announcement of his remaining life, the degree of discretion he can take is still limited. Even if favorable circumstances such as the absence of a criminal record are fully considered, it is difficult to determine that this case is suitable for probation and has to impose a real sentence."