The man, a 48-year-old employee of the Kurashiki Municipal Government, received 26 million yen ($220,000) in salary between 2001 and 2005, the Mainichi Daily News reported. During most of that time he was on paid sick leave, paid vacation or other paid time off.

On Dec. 18, he requested permission to turn to work. But the government decided he could not be considered a reliable employee and cashiered him, effective Dec. 31.