Japanese Man Earns $200,000 Annually, Works as Janitor for Health

In Japan, a man earning 30 million yen (US$203,000) annually from rentals and investments continues to work as a janitor to maintain his health and activity levels.

Koichi Matsubara, aged 56, is employed in Tokyo, where he cleans public areas and performs basic maintenance in an apartment block, according to The Gold Online.

Matsubara works a four-hour shift three days a week, earning a monthly income of 100,000 yen (US$680), significantly lower than Tokyo's average salary of 350,000 yen (US$2,400).

Despite his modest job, Matsubara is considered one of the building's wealthiest 'invisible millionaires,' earning over 30 million yen annually from his rental properties and investments.

Raised in a single-parent household, Matsubara saved diligently to purchase his first studio flat after secondary school, eventually expanding his property portfolio.

Currently, he owns seven rental flats in Tokyo and its suburbs and has investments in stocks and funds. Despite his wealth, he leads a frugal lifestyle, living in a cheap flat, cooking his meals, and not buying new clothes for over a decade.

Matsubara's janitorial work is not financially motivated but is a means to stay active. His story has sparked interest on social media, with observers noting his rational approach to wealth management and the mental and physical benefits of daily cleaning.

In Japan, unconventional lifestyles like Matsubara's are not uncommon, with others also embracing unique approaches to living and managing wealth.