Have you ever wondered what kind of private lives wealthy homeowners lead behind the walls of their luxurious mansions? Former Japanese tax official Yoshitaka Kobayashi, drawing from his work experiences, reveals some intriguing insights. Because of his job, he often conducted inheritance tax investigations into affluent families, uncovering an interesting phenomenon: many wealthy households keep pets, ranging from dogs and cats to birds, with large dogs being the most common.
Why do affluent people love raising pets? Kobayashi believes the reasons go beyond just having money. While financial capability is certainly a major prerequisite, owning pets involves significant expenses. According to the Japan Pet Food Association, raising a dog for a lifetime costs about 2.45 million yen, and cats cost roughly 1.54 million yen. For typical families, this can be a considerable financial burden, but for wealthy individuals, it may be seen as a modest investment.
Kobayashi also observed that wealthy people are very prudent and careful with their spending in daily life, yet when it comes to pets, they are incredibly generous. He speculates this is because pets add a lot of joy to their lives. He mentioned that when chatting casually with wealthy people, talking about pets always lightens the mood and creates a pleasant atmosphere.
One heir who keeps a large dog shared with Kobayashi that walking the dog daily instills a regular and healthy routine in his life. To prevent the dog from getting injured, he also keeps his home impeccably clean. In other words, pets are not just companions; they also motivate a more disciplined lifestyle.
Moreover, owning pets can be considered a form of "health investment." Kobayashi referred to research by the American Heart Association, which shows that pets can effectively reduce stress—a major hidden factor triggering heart disease, brain disorders, and other critical health issues. In this sense, pets help their owners prevent such risks.
Although Kobayashi does not have pets himself, he employs his own stress relief methods, such as writing a "morning journal" daily or practicing meditation. He firmly believes that whether owning pets or meditating, the core lies in "finding something that helps one achieve inner calm." In today's high-pressure era, knowing how to care for one's inner self may be the secret that allows these wealthy individuals to maintain both high efficiency and inner peace.
