The various means of acquiring wealth have changed a great deal since the fifth century B.C., when Chinese philosopher Confucius told his disciples: "Riches and honors are what men desire. If these cannot be obtained in the proper way, they should not be kept."

That said, in the 21st century such moralistic views are not necessarily outdated. Indeed, much of the controversial coverage surrounding this year's campaign for the presidency of the United States has been focused on one candidate's great wealth — and in particular, whether his fortune was acquired "in the proper way."

While few Japanese multimillionaires can claim the flamboyance, or political ambitions, of Donald Trump, their examples are the object of intense study by members of the middle class, especially those who entertain probably unrealistic hopes of emulating them.