Japanese Mother's Online Shopping Spree Leads to 2 Million Dollar Savings Loss, Early Dementia Suspected

A 45-year-old Tokyo resident, Tanaka Kenichi, was stunned to find his mother's savings drastically depleted and her apartment overflowing with unopened packages and debt notices. His mother, Kazuko, who lives alone on a monthly pension of 120,000 yen (approximately 24,000 NT dollars), had managed to spend nearly 9 million yen (about 1.8 million NT dollars) over several years.

“

Isn't it amazing? I've saved so many points! 1 point equals 1 yen, so I've earned 870,000 yen!

Kazuko's spending spree was fueled by online shopping apps, driven by promotions like "free shipping for purchases over 1,000 yen" and "5x points today." She believed she was saving money by accumulating points, proudly telling her son she had earned 870,000 points, which she equated to earning 870,000 yen (about 174,000 NT dollars). Kenichi, however, pointed out that she had spent 9 million yen to earn those points, a revelation that left her speechless.

Her son discovered that his mother was repeatedly buying the same items, including health supplements, clothing, and kitchenware. The compulsive behavior stemmed from a shrinking social circle after her husband's death, with online shopping becoming her primary form of entertainment. The constant notifications of "earned" points provided a false sense of accomplishment.

“

Mom, you spent 9 million yen to get points worth only 870,000 yen!

Upon medical examination, Kazuko was diagnosed with early-stage cognitive decline, a form of dementia. Her condition meant she often forgot she had already purchased items. Kenichi has since taken control of her credit cards and visits monthly to manage her finances, helping her curb the compulsive shopping that had nearly wiped out her inheritance.

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Mom doesn't think she's spending money at all. She genuinely believes she's 'making money.'