A Janitor Earning 1 Million Won a Month
Generates 30 Million Yen a Year from Seven Apartments and Fund Investments
Leads a Frugal Life Cleaning Three Days a Week in Tokyo
A man in his 50s working as a janitor at an apartment complex in Tokyo and earning a monthly salary of 1 million won has drawn attention after it was revealed that he is actually a wealthy individual earning 300 million won annually.
On October 1 (local time), the South China Morning Post (SCMP) and Japan's The Gold Online introduced the story of Matsubara Koichi, 56, who works as a janitor at an apartment complex in Tokyo, Japan. He works three days a week, four hours a day, performing cleaning and simple maintenance work, and receives a monthly salary of about 100,000 yen (approximately 1 million won). This is less than one-third of the average monthly salary in Tokyo.
However, he has a completely different side. Matsubara owns seven apartments in Tokyo and the surrounding metropolitan area, from which he earns rental income. In addition, through investments in stocks and funds, his annual income reaches about 30 million yen (approximately 300 million won).
Despite this, he continues to live as a janitor. Matsubara explained, "I don't work as a janitor to earn money. I do it to maintain an active lifestyle."
He added, "It feels really good to wake up every morning, clean, and keep everything tidy," and, "I want to have something to do every day and maintain a state where I can think for myself."
Mr. Matsubara also adheres to a frugal lifestyle. He lives in an inexpensive apartment, refrains from eating out, and cooks his own meals. Photo by Getty Images
Matsubara also adheres to a frugal lifestyle. He lives in an inexpensive apartment, refrains from eating out, and cooks his own meals. He has not bought new clothes for over 10 years, uses a basic model smartphone, and mostly gets around by bicycle.
This frugal lifestyle has continued since his childhood. Raised in a single-parent family, he recalled that he had to save for a long time to buy what he wanted. After graduating from high school, he worked at a factory earning 180,000 yen (about 1.8 million won) per month, and with the 3 million yen (about 30 million won) he saved over several years, he purchased his first studio-type apartment.
Matsubara said, "At that time, the real estate market was in a slump, but he managed the properties meticulously to prevent vacancies and gradually increased his real estate assets by repaying loans early." Getty Images
He said, "At that time, the real estate market was in a slump, but he managed the properties meticulously to prevent vacancies and gradually increased his real estate assets by repaying loans early." Currently, based on nearly 20 years of continuous service, he is also planning to receive a pension starting at age 60.
Matsubara emphasized, "I always wanted to live within my means. My goal is to live a fulfilling life without flaunting my wealth."
His story has sparked a strong response online in Japan. One netizen commented, "He is a rational person who manages his assets well," while another agreed, saying, "Cleaning is effective for both mental health and exercise." Many also responded, "We shouldn't underestimate people who clean or serve. There could be an invisible millionaire right next to us."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
