Former Chiba mayor's desk, chair sold for 3 million yen

The city announced on July 5 that CHIBA has bought a desk and chair under the former mayor of Chiba Prefecture, around 3 million yen - about 1.5 times their original price - in an online auction.

The furniture bought during the tenure of the former mayor Hirotami Murakoshi was sold to a local architectural firm for 3,000, 921 yen.

After the hefty purchase price was criticized in the municipal assembly, Koh Tanaka, who beat Murakoshi in the March 2022 mayoral election, decided to sell the set.

According to the city, it bought the desk and chair for a total of 1,982, 200 yen, about $14,600, to coincide with the partial opening of the new city hall in August 2020. The furniture was put on auction from June 28 to July 5 this year with the minimum bid set at 1,486, 650 yen approx. Three bids were received for $11,000.

The bidder took the furniture at a higher value than the acquisition price, and we're grateful, said Tanaka. He said the proceeds will be used for our residents and will be reimbursed to the city's coffers.

The mayor said that the city will not misuse taxpayers' money in the future.