There is a trader who probably changed the way many view retail trading in Japan. His name is Takashi Kotegawa, although in trading circles he is known as BNF. His story is quite unique because he did not come from a wealthy family nor did he have institutional backing—he simply learned by observing charts, studying patterns, and analyzing company fundamentals.

Kotegawa was born in 1978 and started trading after college. But what’s interesting is that he became truly famous during the Livedoor chaos in 2005. While other investors were panicking over the scandal, this BNF trader saw opportunities where others saw risk. In just a few years, he managed to earn over 2 billion yen—roughly 20 million dollars.

What cemented his reputation was the famous J-Com trade that same year. A trader at Mizuho Securities made a monumental mistake: he sold 610,000 shares at 1 yen when he should have sold 1 share at 610,000 yen. Kotegawa recognized the anomaly instantly, bought the undervalued shares massively, and made huge profits when the error was corrected. That move proved why this BNF trader became a legend—he had the ability to stay calm and act decisively during chaotic moments.

The curious thing is that despite amassing a fortune, Kotegawa lives extremely modestly. He uses public transportation, eats at cheap restaurants, and practically avoids the media. He almost never gives interviews and prefers to keep his private life, which only adds more mystery to his figure.

His legacy is important because it shows that in a world dominated by hedge funds and large institutions, a disciplined retail trader with the right timing can achieve extraordinary things. Kotegawa’s story remains a reference in the trading community.