There's a story about a Japanese trader that has always left a deep impression on me. The name Takashi Kotegawa is almost legendary in the Japanese stock market community; he is active online under the pseudonym BNF, and that name later became his signature.

This guy's path to success is quite unique. In 2001, the Japanese stock market was in a slump, and most people were on the sidelines, but he chose to enter the market at that time. His initial capital was only 1.6 million yen, which is about 13,000 dollars—sounds like not much, but he started his trading career with that small amount.

I think what makes Takashi Kotegawa truly impressive isn't how much money he made, but his trading philosophy. He focused on stocks with high volatility on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, engaging in day trading. The key is that he never holds positions overnight, which shows a very strong discipline. Why do this? To avoid gap risk. Think about it—anything can happen overnight, and if the market gaps open, it can be disastrous.

His stock selection logic is also very clear: only focus on stocks with good liquidity and obvious price momentum. These stocks are easy to buy and sell without getting trapped. I believe this precise risk management awareness is the core reason he was able to grow from $13,000 to become a legend in the Japanese stock market. Many people focus on Takashi Kotegawa's wealth figures, but I value more the trading discipline and patience he demonstrates.