By Alice Yan

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A 67-year-old Japanese man who has focused on saving money for decades, including not using an air-conditioner and shunning restaurant meals, says he regrets doing so after his wife passed away.
Known by the alias Suzuki, the man has trended on social media after it was reported by the asset management news outlet THE GOLD ONLINE.
Suzuki was born into a poor family and started to earn money in secondary school when he worked part-time in restaurants.

After getting a full-time job, he rented a cheap flat far away from his office.
Suzuki cooked for himself and took a lunchbox to the office every day, usually containing bean sprouts and chicken.
He has lived an extremely frugal life for years.
To save on electricity costs, he seldom used the air-conditioner. He walked or rode a bike to travel and he had never eaten in a restaurant.
His wife was a colleague who knew his personality. After their child was born, Suzuki said he was not as good at saving money as before.

The family’s leisure activity was mainly picnicking in nearby parks. If they needed to go to another place, Suzuki would choose the cheapest route, he admitted.
He has not bought a house or a car.
Thanks to his efforts, Suzuki has accumulated 35 million yen (US$240,000).
When he was 60, he withdrew part of his pension fund for investment. He is reported to own assets with a combined value of 65 million yen (US$440,00).
“This money is a guarantee for emergency situations and my later life,” Suzuki was quoted as saying.
However, not long after his retirement, his wife was diagnosed with a serious disease and died, aged 66.
“I wish my wife and I could have relished travelling more and eating in restaurants,” said Suzuki.

“But time cannot be turned back. What is the meaning of life with only money left?” he said.
Suzuki is not the only person in Japan whose life revolves around the theme of austerity.
Last year, another man, 45, attracted attention for living frugally for more than 20 years before finally managing to save 135 million yen (US$910,000).
His meals consisted of a sour plum, some salted vegetables and a bowl of rice.
Sometimes dinner was just an energy drink he got using free points from convenience stores.