Japanese woman throws out savings

An elderly Japanese woman accidentally gave away 2m yen ($19,000) when she got rid of a kimono and forgot the money was sewn into its obi, or sash.

She realised what had happened when she read about a local recycling group finding the cash, Kyodo news reported.

She had to beat off 17 other claimants to prove she was the money's rightful owner, producing the same thread and paper she had used to secure the money.

She had reportedly hidden the money after a string of thefts in her area.

The women, who was not identified, lives in the neighbourhood of Yokosuka, 50km (30 miles) south of Tokyo, the report said.