Takashi kotegawa history and strategy for trading .
Takashi Kotegawa, widely known by his alias BNF, is a legendary Japanese day trader renowned for transforming a modest investment into a substantial fortune.
Trading Journey & Rise to Fame
Born on March 5, 1978, in Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan, Kotegawa began trading around the year 2000 with approximately $13,600 (1.6 million yen) of his own savings. Operating from his Tokyo apartment, he focused on the Japanese stock market, particularly the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Over eight years, he reportedly amassed a fortune of $153 million through disciplined and strategic trading.
One of his most notable trades occurred in 2005 during the IPO of J-Com Holdings. A trader at Mizuho Securities mistakenly placed an order to sell 610,000 shares at 1 yen each, instead of selling one share at 610,000 yen. Recognizing the opportunity, Kotegawa capitalized on this error, securing significant profits and earning the nickname "J-Com man."
Trading Style & Philosophy
Kotegawa is known for his meticulous and disciplined approach to trading. He often monitored a curated list of about 50 stocks with significant price movements, enabling him to act swiftly on market fluctuations. His strategy emphasized short-term trades, leveraging quick market movements for gains, and he was known to utilize leverage to amplify potential returns.
Despite his immense wealth, Kotegawa maintained a humble lifestyle. He avoided extravagant purchases, opting instead for simple living, which included riding a bicycle and enjoying ramen. His frugality and grounded nature have been highlighted in various profiles, emphasizing his focus on trading over material possessions.
Public Presence & Legacy
Kotegawa is notably private, rarely making public appearances or maintaining a significant online presence. He does not operate a personal blog or website, and his insights are primarily gleaned from occasional interviews and media features. His story continues to inspire traders worldwide, symbolizing the potential of disciplined trading and strategic market engagement.
Lifestyle
Extremely Low-Key
Despite being worth tens (or hundreds) of millions, Kotegawa is incredibly private and modest:
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No flashy cars, no luxury homes.
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He reportedly continued living in a small apartment even after becoming rich.
No Interest in Luxury
Kotegawa once said in an interview that he doesn’t care about fame or luxury:
“I don’t have anything I want to buy. I don’t drink, smoke, or go to clubs.”
Frugal Spending
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He reportedly rode a bicycle to get around Tokyo instead of owning a car.
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Meals? Convenience store bento or ramen, not Michelin-star restaurants.
Personality & Mindset
Obsessive Discipline
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He reportedly watched the markets for 15+ hours a day, scanning hundreds of stocks.
Highly Analytical
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Kotegawa avoided emotional trades.
Introverted Genius
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He avoids public attention and the media.
Interesting Facts
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The J-Com Incident in 2005 made him a legend:
A trader mistakenly tried to sell 610,000 shares for 1 yen instead of 1 share for 610,000 yen. Kotegawa jumped on this error, made a huge profit, and the story exploded in the news. -
No known affiliations or hedge funds:
Despite his wealth, he never started a fund or firm. It’s just him, trading solo.
The exact number is unknown, but many estimates place him comfortably in the nine-figure range.
Takashi Kotegawa, widely known by his online alias "BNF," was born on March 5, 1978, in Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan. Information regarding his early childhood is scarce, as he maintains a very private life.
However, it's known that he was a university student who developed a keen interest in the stock market after watching a news segment. This fascination led him to dedicate himself to learning about trading. It's rumored that he dropped out of university to focus entirely on his trading activities.
During his time as a college student, Kotegawa worked various part-time jobs to save the initial capital he would use for trading. This highlights his early determination and commitment to pursuing his interest in the financial markets. He immersed himself in studying the intricacies of the stock market and technical analysis.
This period of his life was characterized by a strong drive to learn and prepare for his career as a trader, laying the foundation for his future success in the Japanese stock market.
Personal Life & Family
Information about Kotegawa's family is scarce, as he has consistently kept his personal affairs out of the public eye. However, a discussion on Reddit suggests that he may have shifted his focus toward real estate investments to spend more time with his wife and family. Beyond this, there are no confirmed details about his marital status or whether he has children
Kotegawa's commitment to privacy extends to his online presence. He does not maintain any official social media accounts, and any profiles bearing his name are likely unofficial or fan-created.
In summary, while Takashi Kotegawa's trading achievements are well-documented, his personal life remains largely private, aligning with his preference to stay out of the public spotlight.
Takashi Kotegawa’s trading strategy is as legendary as his results. While he’s always been very private and hasn’t released a book or course, his style has been pieced together from interviews, trading records, and rare public comments. Here's a breakdown of how he traded and what made him so effective:
Takashi Kotegawa’s Trading Strategy
Momentum & Volatility-Based Trading
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He focused on high-volatility stocks, often small-cap or mid-cap stocks on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
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His goal: profit from large price swings within a single day (intraday trades).
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He didn’t hold long-term positions—he was a true day trader.
"If a stock moves wildly, Kotegawa is watching."
Watchlist of 50 Stocks
- He built and maintained a watchlist of around 50 stocks that had high volume and strong intraday price movement.
- He closely studied these names and learned their behavior intimately, like building a relationship with the chart.
Technical Analysis & Pattern Recognition
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No heavy reliance on fundamentals. He didn’t care about company earnings, leadership, or news—just price action and volume.
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He used classic technical indicators (likely support/resistance levels, trendlines, and volume spikes).
- Chart-reading and candlestick patterns were his weapons.
Quick Entries and Exits
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He made multiple trades per day, sometimes dozens.
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The goal: enter at the beginning of a strong move and exit quickly with profit, sometimes within minutes.
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He did not let losses spiral—cutting losses quickly was key to his long-term success.
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Early on, he used margin (leverage) to amplify his returns.
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But he always scaled with precision, never recklessly betting the farm on a single trade.
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His position sizing grew as his capital grew, but discipline never changed.
News Reaction Mastery (J-Com Incident)
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He was extremely quick to react to market-breaking news.
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Example: The J-Com stock mispricing incident in 2005, where he recognized a broker’s typo (selling 610,000 shares instead of 1 share), jumped in, and made millions from a massive arbitrage-like opportunity.
Mental Discipline & Focus
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Kotegawa treated trading like a monk treats meditation.
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No emotions. No distractions.
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He reportedly watched markets 12–15 hours a day, doing deep analysis even after the market closed.
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