> > 200 million yen is only 2 million dollars..
> > not much by today's standards.
> 
> Not enough to retire on right now, but a decent start on a nest egg that
> would pretty much guarantee your financial security in your old age.

Are you kidding?  If you start with 2 million and invest it in a mixture
of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and US Treasuries you should get about
7-8% return (before taxes).  I can live quite fine on 140-160K / year.
This also doesn't draw down the principal, so you can go on like this
until you die (or until a major recession/depression).

Jeff