Japan’s Tokyo: Koichi Matsubara, 56, is known as the “Invisible Millionaire” because of his unconventional way of life in a world where wealth is routinely flaunted. Matsubara makes more than 30 million yen (₹1.83 crore) a year from rental properties and investments, but he still works part-time as a janitor in a Tokyo apartment building, where he makes 100,000 yen (₹60,354) a month, according to reports from the South China Morning Post (SCMP) and The Gold Online.
Matsubara works four-hour shifts three days a week cleaning shared spaces and doing basic maintenance work. His income is much lower than the average monthly salary in Tokyo, which is 350,000 yen (₹2.11 lakh). However, the millionaire argues that doing hard work gives him purpose, satisfaction, and good health.
Matsubara said, “Living simply makes me feel really good.” He went on to say that he likes to shun superfluous luxury and live a grounded existence.
From a Small Start to Success in Real Estate
Matsubara learned the concept of being economical when he was young because he grew up in a single-parent home. He worked at a factory after high school for 180,000 yen (US$1,220) a month. He saved up 3 million yen (about $20,000) by being very careful with his money. He utilized this money to buy his first studio apartment.
He remembered, “The housing market had hit rock bottom at that time.” “I did things to avoid vacancy and paid off the mortgage early, which helped me slowly build up my properties.”
Over time, Matsubara bought more and more real estate, which today brings him a consistent stream of rental revenue that makes him one of the richest people in his building. He chooses to blend in instead of stick out, though, and he doesn’t show off his money.
A Way of Life That Is Not Necessary
Matsubara says he is proud of keeping active, healthy, and useful, unlike many millionaires who want comfort and luxury. He didn’t choose to be a janitor for the money; he did it because of his beliefs about humility and simplicity.
He told SCMP, “I have always hoped to live off my own assets,” which shows that he would rather be self-sufficient than live in luxury.
His story has aroused interest in Japan and other countries, but it also goes against materialism by showing how personal happiness and living simply may go hand in hand with financial independence.