What are his views on material wealth (luxury cars, high-end watches, luxury goods)?

Created At: 8/15/2025Updated At: 8/17/2025
Answer (1)

Absolutely, let's delve into the legendary trader Takakazu Kotegawa's (B.N.F.) views on money and luxury goods. He can undoubtedly be called an "atypical" tycoon; his consumption habits are completely different from what we imagine of the wealthy.

Core Viewpoint: He's fundamentally "disinterested" in these things.

Simply put, Kotegawa not only doesn't pursue luxury cars, expensive watches, or luxury goods – he even considers them "burdensome." His happiness and sense of achievement don't stem from spending money at all, but rather from watching the numbers in his account grow.


Specifically:

1. About Cars

  • He doesn't own a car and doesn't even have a driver's license. In media interviews, he frankly stated he has no license and relies almost entirely on walking or public transport to get around.
  • His reasons are very practical: He said driving makes him drowsy, and for a trader where every second counts, staying alert and focused is paramount. Walking, conversely, gives him exercise and helps clear his mind. He feels that having an accident while out driving just for convenience (like buying something) would be far too costly for the little benefit gained.

Key Takeaway: In his eyes, a car isn't a status symbol but a "risk factor" that could negatively impact his trading performance.

2. About Luxury Watches & Goods

  • Completely uninterested. You won't see him wearing any designer clothes or expensive watches in photos or videos. His attire is remarkably simple, no different from a typical Japanese homebody.
  • He sees no need. He has openly stated that owning such luxuries brings him no joy. For him, the greatest satisfaction comes from asset appreciation. Spending millions of yen on a watch or piece of clothing is incomprehensible to him because that money could generate even more value in the stock market.

Key Takeaway: He is an extremely rational person. His sole criteria for consumption are "Is it necessary?" and "Will it impact my main profession (trading)?" Luxury goods score zero on both counts.

3. About Daily Spending

  • Extremely frugal, even borderline "stingy". One of his most famous habits is frequently eating instant noodles. He himself mentioned that due to this, he worries about nutritional imbalance and deliberately buys vegetable salads or juice to compensate.
  • Very low demands regarding "food". He cares little about whether food is delicious; convenience and not interfering with trading are far more important. He needs to dedicate all his time and focus to the numbers on his screen.

Key Takeaway: His spending is entirely subservient to his career. As long as it satisfies hunger, sustains life, and doesn't interfere with studying the market, it's sufficient.

What is his core philosophy?

We can understand Takakazu Kotegawa like this:

  • Money is a tool, not the end goal. He doesn't earn money to enjoy a luxurious life; he earns it to make even more money. This might sound circular, but for him, the "game" of making money itself is the greatest pleasure. He thrives on the thrill of strategizing, making the right calls, and seeing his assets surge.
  • Extreme focus and discipline. He eliminates everything potentially distracting from his life. A car requires maintenance and worry about scratches; luxury goods require shopping trips and upkeep. These, in his view, are wasteful distractions hindering his "discipline" as a trader.
  • Security comes from assets, not consumption. When he spent a fortune on a commercial building in Akihabara, many assumed he was starting to indulge. In reality, it was purely an "investment" for stable rental income to hedge against market risks. He was using money to compound money, not spending it.

In summary

Imagine playing a strategy game where your greatest joy comes from watching your resources and score continuously rise, ultimately topping the leaderboard.

Takakazu Kotegawa treats the real world exactly like that game.

  • His assets = the game's score
  • Luxury cars, watches = flashy but useless skins or items in the game he scorns
  • His happiness = the moment he sees his score (assets) increase

So, his view on material wealth can be summed up in one sentence:

"Beyond things that help me play the 'trading' game better and longer, everything else is utterly trivial."

Created At: 08-15 09:58:43Updated At: 08-15 11:59:13