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Japanese man quits job at 37 for early retirement, returns to work after 1 year

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A 38-year-old Japanese man who achieved financial independence and early retirement at 37 with 200 million yen in assets found retirement isolating and faced rejections, leading him to return to the workforce after one year.
  • The man, who previously earned 11 million yen annually, invested heavily in stocks and expected to live off dividends. However, rising living costs and a significant stock price drop caused him financial and psychological distress.
  • His experience highlights the overlooked challenges of early retirement, including social isolation, difficulty securing housing without employment, and the persistent anxieties of market volatility, even with substantial assets.

A Japanese man's dream of early retirement shattered after just one year, revealing the harsh realities beyond financial independence. The 38-year-old, who amassed 200 million yen (approximately $3.9 million USD) through diligent saving and investment, found himself adrift in a life devoid of purpose and social connection.

Formerly earning 11 million yen annually at a large IT firm in Tokyo, he meticulously saved over half his salary for stocks and global index funds. By age 37, he had accumulated substantial assets, including 180 million yen in stocks and 20 million yen in savings. He calculated that an annual income of 4 million yen from dividends would comfortably cover his 3 million yen living expenses, enabling a work-free existence.

However, reality proved starkly different. The initial freedom of retirement quickly gave way to emptiness. His social circle dwindled as friends remained at work, and he faced discrimination when trying to rent an apartment. Landlords rejected him due to his lack of employment, and even proof of his vast assets failed to secure him a home, leaving him feeling overlooked by society.

I never thought I would be rejected because I 'don't have a job.'

— Sasaki Shota (pseudonym)The man described his feelings of frustration and being overlooked after being denied housing due to his lack of employment.

Financial pressures mounted as inflation pushed his living costs above his initial estimates, consuming his projected investment income. A significant drop in a high-dividend stock, following a poor earnings report, triggered intense anxiety. He became consumed by daily stock market fluctuations, fearing further asset depreciation and its impact on his lifestyle.

Ultimately, after about a year, he sought re-employment. The job search proved difficult, with 15 rejections before securing a contract position at a small IT firm for 4.2 million yen annually – less than half his previous salary. Despite the pay cut, he found a sense of relief, underscoring that financial independence alone does not guarantee happiness or security.

It felt like we were on a trampoline; it was really scary.

— Yulian Juita EkaliaA university lecturer in Ruteng city described the intense shaking during the earthquake.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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