Tsunami auction gets $90 million bid for piano

Yahoo Japan says an online bidder has pledged a staggering US$73 million (S$90.3 million) for a crystal piano (above) put up for a tsunami charity auction by a heavy metal band musician. -- PHOTO: AP

TOKYO - YAHOO Japan says an online bidder has pledged a staggering US$73 million (S$90.3 million) for a crystal piano put up for a tsunami charity auction by a heavy metal band musician.

Yahoo Japan spokesman Kimihiko Sato says they had to suspend the auction after the bidding price for the piano belonging to Yoshiki of X Japan hit six billion yen earlier this week.

Yahoo has emailed the bidder to confirm the intention to buy the piano. Mr Sato said on Thursday that the bidder has not yet responded.

Yahoo will wait for several days.

The March 11 earthquake and tsunami decimated much of northern Japan, leaving more than 27,000 people dead or missing.

Yoshiki is among 280 artists, athletes and celebrities who joined the auction to raise money for reconstruction efforts. 

-- AP