How does he view Buffett-style value investing? Does he agree with this investment philosophy, which differs significantly from his own style?

How Does Takashi Otekogawa (B.N.F.) View Buffett? A Dialogue Between "Fast" and "Slow"

Talking about this topic is truly fascinating. Takashi Otekogawa (online alias B.N.F.), the legendary Japanese day trader, and Warren Buffett, the "Oracle of Omaha," represent two extremes in the investing world. One is like sprinter Usain Bolt running the 100-meter dash; the other resembles marathoner Eliud Kipchoge.

So how does this "swift swordsman" view the "master of inner strength" Buffett? Does he endorse an investment philosophy that is the complete opposite of his own style?

The answer can be summarized as: Deep respect, but no emulation, as the paths are entirely different.

Let's break it down step by step for clarity.

1. Core Viewpoint: Respect, But It’s "Someone Else’s Martial Art Discipline"

In his rare public interviews where similar questions were raised, B.N.F.'s stance is clear:

He acknowledges Buffett’s greatness: He recognizes that Buffett is the undisputed king of long-term investing, having achieved immense, sustainable success through value investing. He deeply respects this.
He believes it’s not suitable for him: He states bluntly that Buffett’s methodology (deep fundamental analysis of companies, long-term holding) and his own approach (short-term trading based on technical charts, market sentiment, price deviation/parabolic indicators, etc.) are two entirely distinct paths.

Think of it this way: A top-tier boxer has immense respect for a top-tier judo master. He acknowledges the other's strength and mastery in their field, but he won't switch to practicing judo because his entire physique, training regimen, and reflexes are honed for boxing.

2. Why Doesn't He Emulate Buffett? Key Reasons Explained

Starting Point and Capital Scale
Otekogawa started with just 1.6 million yen (around $17,000 USD / 100,000 RMB). For a small retail investor, Buffett-style value investing might yield 20% annual returns – just a few thousand dollars. This pace is too slow for rapid capital compounding. Conversely, the high-frequency trading that made him famous, though extremely risky, could multiply capital several times over, even dozens of times, within short periods. His goal was to "grow the principal as fast as possible," so he chose the "fast" method best suited for that objective.
Circle of Competence and Personality
Buffett’s strength lies in "understanding a business." He spends immense time reading financial reports, dissecting a company's business model, economic moat, and management. Otekogawa’s expertise is in "reading market sentiment and price action." He stares intensely at multiple screens daily, acutely sensitive to shifts in technical indicators and the balance of buying/selling forces. These are two completely different aptitudes and skill sets. If they swapped places, neither would likely succeed.
The Evolution of Capital Scale
An interesting shift occurred as Otekogawa’s assets ballooned to tens of billions of yen: his strategy evolved. He began incorporating medium-to-long term investments, even purchasing entire buildings in prime Tokyo locations for rental income.
What does this tell us?
It means he is not opposed to the core principle of "holding quality assets long-term." Once your wealth reaches a certain magnitude, the capacity for high-frequency trading is limited, and the constant stress becomes exhausting. At this stage, converting a portion of massive profits into stable, cash-flow-generating long-term assets like real estate is itself a reflection of value investing tenets.
Therefore, it’s clear that after achieving monumental success, his actions partially "endorse" the underlying logic of value investing: Hold good assets.

To Summarize

How does he view Buffett-style value investing?
He sees it as another worthy and respected path to success, but it is not his path.

Does he agree with this philosophy?
He acknowledges the effectiveness of its ultimate outcomes but does not believe it is a universally applicable method, especially not for his early self who needed rapid capital accumulation. Once he himself became a financial titan, his actions also began to demonstrate an alignment with the principle of holding quality assets long-term.

Thus, Otekogawa and Buffett are like two peerless masters from a martial arts epic. One is the lightning-fast swordsman seeking lethal precision and ultimate speed/efficiency; the other cultivates inner strength, exemplifying effortless power and compound returns over time. They both recognize the other's mastery, yet they know the weapon in their own hand is the perfect one forged for their chosen path.