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

Asked by: Osbaldo Herman  |  Last update: October 12, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (62 votes)

Allegedly, he would buy stocks that were at least 20% below the 25-day moving average and then profit from the short-term growth of the stock. He then closed the trades during the same session, or held part of the position overnight.

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

During the market crash in 2008, while panic dominated the markets, Kotegawa remained calm — buying when others were selling. Those bold and calculated moves multiplied his fortune. 💼 Result: In less than 8 years, his portfolio exploded to over $153 million — all made by himself.

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.

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.

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.

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

28 related questions found

Can you make $500,000 a year day trading?

I just crossed + $500,000 in profits after 1 year of full time day trading. In that time, I have had a maximum cumulative drawdown of only — $6,419 with an average drawdown of -$1,000. This article is my holistic approach to risk management that any trader can apply to their own strategies.

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 is the Japanese trading strategy?

The Heikin-Ashi technique is a Japanese candlestick-based technical trading tool that uses candlestick charts to represent and visualize market price data. It is used to identify market trend signals and forecast price movements. The Heikin-Ashi method uses average price data that helps to filter out market noise.

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.

What is the 3 5 7 rule in trading?

The 3-5-7 rule in trading is a risk management guideline: risk no more than 3% of capital on one trade, keep total risk across all trades under 5%, and aim for winning trades to be at least 7% larger than losing trades (or a 7:1 ratio) to ensure profits outweigh losses and protect capital. It promotes discipline, reduces emotional trading, and balances potential high rewards with controlled risk, making it great for beginners. 

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 Takashi Kotegawa's 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.

What is the Jim Simons method?

Simons used mathematical models and historical data analysis to identify statistical edges, then executed those edges systematically across massive volume. their approach generated 39% annual returns after fees for over 30 years.

What is the most profitable trading strategy in the world?

The most popular ones are:

  • Trading strategy based on technical indicators.
  • Trading strategy based on Bollinger bands.
  • Trading strategy based on moving averages.
  • Trading strategy based on technical analysis and price patterns.
  • Trading strategy based on Fibonacci retracements.
  • Candlestick trading strategy.

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.

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.

How many day traders are rich?

Day trading can indeed be profitable, but it's exceptionally challenging—and most people who try it end up losing money. According to both academic and industry research, the success rate in day trading is quite low. Depending on the source, only around 3% to 20% of day traders make money.

Who is the most profitable trader of all time?

Some observers have regarded Livermore as the greatest trader who ever lived, but others have regarded his legacy as a cautionary tale about the risks of leverage to seek large gains rather than a strategy focused on smaller yet more consistent returns.