Tokyo – A Japanese woman, 84, has nearly exhausted her late husband’s inheritance and her monthly pension due to a growing obsession with television shopping. After her husband passed away, she reportedly turned to TV shopping channels to cope with loneliness, repeatedly purchasing products without restraint.
The widow, known as Kanako Iwasa, received a total inheritance of ¥30 million (around S$300,000) and a monthly pension of ¥120,000 (S$1,200). She initially managed her expenses carefully, keeping her monthly spending around her pension amount to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.
Mountain of Supplements
However, her eldest son, Takashi, discovered the problem when he visited the family home on the first anniversary of his father’s death. He was shocked to find boxes stacked high with health supplements, nutritional drinks, and other repeated purchases, turning the living room into what resembled a storage warehouse. Some items were even on recurring orders, highlighting the extent of her compulsive buying.
When asked, Kanako admitted that she often stayed awake at night, feeling intensely lonely after her husband’s death. The cheerful hosts and products on the TV shopping channels gave her a sense of companionship, and she became increasingly drawn to buying the items, believing they were perfect for her.
Financial experts warn that this type of behaviour can quickly deplete both savings and pension funds, leaving elderly individuals in precarious situations. Families are encouraged to monitor the finances of elderly relatives who may be isolated or lonely, and to guide them towards safer ways of coping with solitude.
This case is a stark reminder of how loneliness can influence spending habits, especially among the elderly, and underscores the importance of support networks for widows and widowers.