Why Do the Rich Get Richer? Japan's Youngest Billionaire Reveals the Truth: Money Isn't the Main Motivation

Editor’s Note: Shunsaku Sagami is 35 years old and Japan’s youngest billionaire, reaching an estimated net worth of $2 billion (approximately NT$64.7 billion) by age 33. A self-made entrepreneur, he founded the M&A advisory firm 'M&A Research Institute' in 2018, setting a record by matching two companies in just 86 minutes. The company’s employees are primarily millennials and Gen Z, aged from their twenties to 35. Under his leadership, the company achieved a listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in just 3 years and 9 months—the fastest in the industry. Annual revenue and employee count have grown by over 100%, while average working hours have decreased by 27%.

What Motivates a Billionaire to Keep Working?

If you had 1 billion yen in assets, what kind of job would you choose? Many might imagine themselves living leisurely at a resort, enjoying life without worries. Indeed, with substantial wealth, one would never need to work for survival again.

In my twenties, I once went several months without working. During that time, I traveled overseas and to remote islands, immersing myself in futsal and watercolor painting. However, that happiness didn’t last. As I stopped working, I gradually felt disconnected from society, lacking stimulation and personal growth. The joyful period turned hollow, eventually leading to emptiness.

The life of leisure I once dreamed of felt surprisingly dull in reality—like being drenched in cold water. That’s when I realized: 'Work offers more than just money.' Even among billionaires, many choose to keep working.

Take Elon Musk, with an estimated fortune of around 30 trillion yen. He continues to run multiple ventures, including Tesla and SpaceX. According to media reports, he works over 120 hours per week. Despite possessing wealth that could last a lifetime, he dedicates himself to work tirelessly.

This suggests that the motivation to work may not be money, but rather a profound desire to change the world and lead humanity into the next stage of civilization.

Author Profile | Shunsaku Sagami Founded Alpaca in 2015, operating a cosmetics e-commerce business and website management, selling the company the following year for 950 million yen. In October 2018, he founded M&A Research Institute. Just 3 years and 9 months after founding, the company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market in June 2022 (transferred to the Prime Market in August 2023). In 2024, he was included in Forbes’ 'World Billionaires List,' becoming Japan’s youngest-ever billionaire.

This article is republished with permission from Daishi Publishing’s book 'We Are the 27% Less-Time, High-Efficiency Elite: Leading a Team of Gen Z Without Overtime or Excessive Meetings, Everyone Identifies Waste, Sets Goals Effectively, and Becomes Japan’s Youngest Billionaire CEO' (original title: What Motivates a Billionaire to Work?).

Responsible Editor / Lin Li