How did a Japanese trader turn $13600 into $153 million in just 8 years?

Asked by: Dr. Greyson Beatty PhD  |  Last update: May 22, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (67 votes)

Takashi Kotegawa (aka "BNF") turned $13,600 into $153 million in 8 years (2000-2008) primarily through short-term day trading Japanese stocks, extreme discipline, and exploiting market inefficiencies. He focused on, buying stocks trading 20% below their 25-day moving average, holding positions for 1-2 days to catch reversals, and avoiding the panic-selling of the 2008 crash.

How a bedroom trader turned $13600 into $153 million?

Takashi Kotegawa is an enigmatic trader who turned $13,600 into $153 million in eight years by mastering short-selling and disciplined trading strategies during market downturns. His legendary trade involved capitalizing on a market error, earning $17 million in one day.

How does Takashi Kotegawa make his money?

In the early days, Takashi would do what many stock traders did. He would use a scanner to look for the biggest movers on the day. But he often found that he was too late to the move, so instead, he created a list of 50 stocks that had good price movements in the past.

How did a Japanese trader turn $15000 into $150000000?

Takashi Kotegawa, also known as BNF, turned $15,000 into $150 million in eight years through disciplined trading strategies focused on chart reading and emotional control, emphasizing process over hype, particularly relevant for today's crypto traders.

Who turned $13600 into $153 million?

Takashi Kotegawa, also known as BNF, is a legendary Japanese day trader who famously turned an initial capital of around $13,600 into an astounding $153 million in approximately eight years.

How a Japanese Trader turned $15,000 into $150,000,000

26 related questions found

What is Takashi Kotegawa doing now?

He seems to have shifted his focus on the slower real estate market (a rumor is due to spend more times with his wife and families).

Is Takashi Kotegawa a billionaire?

Bedroom trader Takashi have invested his fortune that he made out of trading into real estates and long term investments and it's officially billionaire now.

What was Takashi Kotegawa's daily routine?

This attitude shaped his simple, disciplined lifestyle. Nicknamed the “bedroom trader,” he worked from a modest apartment with a few monitors and little distraction. He kept his meals light, often instant noodles, so he could stay focused during sessions.

Who is the most profitable Japanese trader?

Takashi Kotegawa aka Japanese BNF Day Trader Who Turned $13,600 Into $153 Million. Takashi Kotegawa (aka BNF/J-Com man) is one of Japan's most famous day traders. He's also one of the most famous traders in the business.

Why is Japan so dependent on cash?

Japanese people have low hygienic resistance to cash

Another reason cashless adoption lags is the low level of hygienic resistance Japanese people feel toward cash. The COVID-19 pandemic has made cleanliness more important than ever. Hygiene concerns have also surfaced regarding payment methods.

Who is the wealthiest trader in the world?

Top 10 Traders in the World – How They Got Rich

  • Ray Dalio – The Bridgewater Billionaire. ...
  • Ed Seykota – The Trading System Pioneer. ...
  • Warren Buffett – The Oracle of Omaha. ...
  • Richard Dennis – The Prince of the Pit. ...
  • Stanley Druckenmiller – The Quiet Genius. ...
  • Steve Cohen – The Hedge Fund Shark. ...
  • Rakesh Jhunjhunwala – India's Big Bull.

Is $400,000 a good salary in Japan?

A ¥400,000 monthly salary (around ¥4.8 million annually) is a decent, livable wage in Japan, especially for a single person in smaller cities, allowing for some savings; however, in expensive Tokyo, it's comfortable but requires careful budgeting, especially for families, as rent and living costs are higher. It's above the national average for younger workers and below the median in major cities, making it a solid foundation but not luxurious, with higher incomes needed for family comfort in expensive areas. 

What is the Kotegawa trading strategy?

The Kotegawa Setup is a repeatable trade model: Identify a target stock with unusually high trading volume. Look for a sharp price drop of 5–10% in a short time. Determine whether news causes the decline or market overreaction.

Can you turn 1000 into a million trading?

Turning $1,000 into $1 million may sound like a dream, but financial experts say it's possible with patience, discipline and the right investments. The key is recognizing early signals of long-term growth and putting small amounts to work before the crowd catches on.

Did a Japanese day trader make $34 million?

In the high-stakes world of trading, few stories are as captivating as that of the Japanese day trader known by the pseudonym "CIS." In August 2015, amid global market turmoil, CIS claimed to have made a staggering $34 million in a single day.

Why does Warren Buffett like the Japanese trading companies?

The Bottom Line

Warren Buffett's $30 billion bet on Japan's trading houses shows that he sees value in companies that are globally diversified, underpriced by the market, and committed to rewarding shareholders.

Which trader is a billionaire?

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. Rakesh Radheyshyam Jhunjhunwala (5 July 1960 – 14 August 2022) was an Indian billionaire investor, stock trader, and Chartered Accountant. He began investing in 1985 with a capital of ₹5,000, with his first major profit in 1986.

What is the 84% rule in trading?

The 84% Rule in trading is a concept where traders re-enter a trade at the same key level with identical parameters (stop-loss, target) after an initial stop-out, expecting an ~84% success rate for the second attempt, especially after a fake-out or liquidity grab, leveraging the idea that the market often respects the original level despite the initial false move. It's a trade management technique to recover losses or capitalize on high-probability setups when price returns to the original thesis, often involving identifying market imbalances like Fair Value Gaps (FVGs) for confirmation. 

Who is the god of trading?

Honma Munehisa is best known for the candlestick chart that he has created and which is used throughout the world even today, as well as Sakata's Five Methods which is an investment tool that he produced based on his candlestick charting.

Do Japanese work 12 hours a day?

Maximum Legal Work Hours:

The Labor Standards Act generally sets a maximum of 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week for regular work. Any time worked beyond these limits is considered overtime in Japan.

Did Masayoshi son lose $70 billion?

In the early 2000s, Masayoshi Son experienced what most would consider career-ending. He lost $70 billion in a single market crash, the largest personal financial loss in history ..but two decades later, he now oversees a $200 billion empire through SoftBank.