BEIJING: A man in Japan who earns 30 million yen (US$203,000) a year from rent and investments insists on continuing to work as a janitor to stay healthy and active.
Koichi Matsubara, 56, cleans public areas and carries out basic maintenance in a block of flats in Tokyo, according to the Japanese media outlet The Gold Online.
Matsubara reportedly works a four-hour shift three days a week.
The janitor job gives him a monthly income of 100,000 yen (US$680), much lower than Tokyo’s average salary of 350,000 yen (US$2,400).
Koichi Matsubara cleans public areas and carries out basic maintenance at a block of flats in Tokyo. - Handout
Despite his modest job, Matsubara may be one of the building’s wealthiest “invisible millionaires”.
He earns more than 30 million yen annually from rental properties and investments.
Matsubara grew up in a single-parent household and often had to save for a long time to buy the things he wanted.
“I have always hoped to live off my own assets,” he said.
After secondary school, Matsubara worked at a factory with a monthly salary of 180,000 yen (US$1,220).
He tightly controlled his expenses and saved around three million yen (US$20,000) over a few years, which he used to buy his first studio flat.
“The housing market had bottomed out at that time. I took steps to avoid vacancy and paid off the mortgage early, gradually increasing my properties,” he said.
Today, he owns seven rental flats in Tokyo and its suburbs and has investments in stocks and funds.
Despite his considerable wealth, Matsubara lives a frugal, simple life.
He lives in a cheap flat, cooks his own meals and has not bought new clothes for more than a decade.
He also uses a basic smartphone and primarily gets around on a bicycle.
Working as a janitor is not about earning money; it is about staying active, he says.
“Every morning, I wake up, clean and make everything neat. It feels really good.”
Matsubara’s goal is to live a fulfilling life without showing off his wealth.
With nearly 20 years of work experience, he is looking forward to his pension at 60.
He also shared his life philosophy: “I hope to have something to do every day, stay healthy, and think for myself.”
Matsubara’s story has caused a buzz on social media.
One online observer said: “He is rational and skilled at managing his wealth.”
“Doing some cleaning every day is also a form of mental healing and a good way to exercise the body,” said another.
“Do not ever underestimate a cleaner or a server. An invisible millionaire could be right next to you,” added a third.
In Japan, unconventional lifestyles like Matsubara’s are not uncommon.
A 75-year-old man known as the “God of Freebies” has been using coupons and free offers instead of money for a decade.
He reportedly owns stocks in more than 1,000 companies and has a net worth of more than 100 million yen (US$700,000). - South China Morning Post
