
With US$108,000 gone, his wife is now wondering if she should file for divorce.
Japanese mobile game players are known to spend more money on in-game currency than their North American or Chinese counterparts. That’s not really surprising, given that a lot of Japanese mobile games rely heavily on a “gacha” system, where in-game purchases don’t necessarily yield a rare character or powerful weapon every time. They are games of chance, making even the most frugal of players reach for their hard-earned cash.
Recently, a distraught wife in Japan sought opinion from netizens regarding her plight. Her sister and mother passed away three years ago, and the wife received a life insurance lump sum payout of eight million yen (US$71,900). Wishing to leave some money for her children, she deposited the money in her bank. The husband and wife had already saved up four million yen, making a total of 12 million yen (US$108,000). To the wife, this was a keepsake left by her mother, and her husband knew about it too.
When the wife checked on the account balance two and a half years later, there was nothing left. After consulting with her husband, the truth came to light. During a time when she was still grieving the loss of her sister and mother, her husband had been spending about 400,000 yen (US$3,600) per month on mobile games, pretending as if nothing was happening. To top it all off, her husband had not even apologized at all! It takes two hands to clap, so to speak, and she also lamented that she hardly knew about her husband’s interest in mobile games.
Netizens were quick to give their opinions, with the majority agreeing she should file for divorce. There were also some who thought the husband should cough up the dough, and one even advised her to consult with a lawyer since it amounted to theft.
Although it’s highly unlikely the money can be recovered, we hope the husband has the sense to kneel and apologize at least.
Source: Yomiuri Online via My Games News Flash
Featured image: Pakutaso

Japanese man surprises his busy wife with the best gift a mom can receive
93-year-old Chiba man on trial for killing wife at her request
Frozen fan gets hot under collar when husband asks what the big deal is, asks for divorce
What do you do when your mother-in-law secretly kisses your husband while you sleep?
Japan may finally abolish law that bans women only from remarrying soon after divorce
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan now has “edible cat fur” for people who really love felines
7-Eleven’s new green tea rice ball and sweets are only available in Japan’s top tea-growing area
Sanrio Hotel Floria isn’t actually a hotel, but it’s still a must visit for fans traveling in Tokyo
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
300-tonne hose washes up on Japanese shore
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
Mos Burger adds Kandy Tea Milk to the menu and Japanese social media is here for it
Japanese university welcomes birth of baby deer on campus, president waives entrance exam[Videos]
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japanese dad reimburses wife for six months’ worth of breast milk, moves her to tears
Japanese men rank the top 10 complaints they hope to never hear from their wives
Man’s Wife Becomes Addicted to New Animal Crossing, Turns to Yahoo Answers for Help, Actually Gets Help
The top 10 traits of the “perfect wife” according to the ladies of one Chinese city
Japanese wife announces secret to a happy marriage, after being wed just three years
Foreign men share their reasons for divorcing their Japanese wives
Disgruntled Japanese men share a list of common male woes before and after marriage
Japanese man arrested for phone-stalking his own wife, calling and saying nothing up to 100 times a day
Japanese educator embezzled $69,200 over four years to fund mobile game microtransactions
Pay-to-win mobile game sensation Puzzle & Dragons coming to Nintendo 3DS in kid-friendly form
“Would you rather breathe or play DS?” Mother on trial for suffocating five-year-old son
Wife takes revenge on cheating husband by auctioning his Yu-Gi-Oh! collection for millions of yen
The top 10 mobile games that Japanese people spent the most money on in 2018
Elderly Japanese man goes Pokémon Go hunting at wife’s grave, offers sweet tribute to lost love
【TGS 2012】 Brain Kiss or: How I Neuro-Cheated on my Wife at Tokyo Game Show