Japanese engineer's early retirement cut short by credit rejection, returns to work

A 45-year-old single IT professional in Japan, who achieved financial independence and retired early after accumulating about 103 million yen (approximately $680,000), found his dream retirement abruptly challenged. After just six months of leisure, a rejection letter for a premium credit card shattered his illusion that wealth guaranteed creditworthiness.

The engineer, who had meticulously managed his expenses, keeping them around 180,000 yen monthly, invested heavily in global equity funds and U.S. ETFs. This strategy allowed him to reach his savings goal by age 44, enabling him to leave his job of 22 years, where he previously earned about 9.8 million yen annually. He initially envisioned a retirement filled with morning walks, dog-walking, and library visits.

However, the credit card rejection was just the beginning of his struggles. When attempting to renew his rental agreement, he was required to provide proof of income. Later, a financial institution denied his application for an investment property loan, citing his ample assets but inability to confirm stable income. These experiences led him to realize he had lost his social credit along with his job.

Ultimately, he accepted a part-time IT role, working three days a week and earning about 350,000 yen monthly. He stated that the return to work was not driven by financial necessity but by the recognition of the risks associated with losing stable income and social connections. Experts suggest the true value of FIRE lies not in complete cessation of work, but in the freedom to choose one's work.

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The true value of FIRE has never been 'not working at all,' but rather having the freedom to 'choose how to work.'