A 66-year-old Japanese man, identified as S, unexpectedly won 600 million yen ($3.8 million) in the lottery, but the windfall quickly turned into a burden. Despite the common belief that sudden wealth brings joy, S found himself struggling with the emotional weight of his secret.
"This does not feel real. The number is so huge, I am even a bit scared," he said after winning the lottery. "I heard the odds of winning are lower than being struck by lightning. This is just an experience in my life."
With a modest background — a retired manufacturing firm employee living on a $2,000 combined monthly pension with his wife — S had little prior experience with such immense wealth. The couple had managed to save only $174,000 over the years, and his wife was described as extremely frugal, banning beer at home and insisting on using an old, inexpensive car.
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To keep his win hidden, S told his wife he had won only $32,000 for home renovations. Behind the scenes, he indulged in luxury: buying expensive cars, vacationing at high-end resorts, and travelling across Japan. But the secrecy soon wore him down. The guilt of living a double life left him feeling lonely, reminding him of his father’s isolated death following divorce and bankruptcy.
Realising he needed guidance, S consulted a financial planner and secured nearly $3.2 million in insurance policies, naming his wife and children as beneficiaries. Reflecting on the turmoil, he shared, "If this money had been earned through my own efforts, I would be proud of it. But wealth that comes without effort brings up unpleasant memories and shakes my life."
The story sparked wide discussion online in Japan, highlighting how sudden wealth can complicate family dynamics and emotional well-being.
