Meet Shigeru Fujimoto, the 88-year-old Japanese trader

Meet Shigeru Fujimoto.

At 88 years old, Shigeru has amassed almost USD 13 million in trading profits.

His journey is inspiring not just because he is an octogenarian who is still actively trading, but also because of his determination and consistency over the past decades.

Early life and career beginnings

Born in 1936 as the youngest of four siblings in a farming family in Hyogo Prefecture, Shigeru Fujimoto began investing at the age of 19.

While working at a pet shop, Shigeru met a customer who introduced him to investing.

After his stint at the pet shop, Shigeru began operating mahjong parlours, which he eventually sold for 65 million yen.

He capitalized on his nest egg to become a full-time investor in 1986. He rode the tide of Japan’s asset-inflated economic boom of the late 1980s and increased his assets at the time to 1 billion yen.

Unfortunately, the economic bubble burst as he watched his assets slide to 200 million yen.

The Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995 dealt another blow to Shigeru, as the event left the entranceway to his apartment crushed.

These major events in his life did not deter Shigeru from his path, as he persisted and stuck with his passion.

First experience with computers at 66 years old

When Shigeru first discovered the world of online stock trading in 2002, it created a massive turning point for his career.

In the past, he could only place buy and sell orders by phone or over-the-counter trading, and now he could enter orders directly into a computer terminal.

Even though he has never touched a computer before, he remained undaunted.

In his words, “It’s no use just remaining cautious and thinking to yourself, ‘Oh, that looks fine,’” he said. “Zero times zero only makes zero. Your world is so small. There are so many things that you don’t know. Age doesn’t matter when you are making a new effort.”

Trading style and philosophy

Shigeru's trading style is characterized by his meticulous analysis of the market and his unwavering dedication to his craft.

He starts his day at 2 a.m., conducting extensive research on the U.S. stock market and analyzing financial news.

His goal is to forecast the overall direction of the Japanese market and identify promising stocks to trade.

Shigeru emphasizes the importance of discipline, patience, and continuous learning.

He believes that success in trading requires a deep understanding of the market and a willingness to adapt to changing conditions.

Despite his physical limitations, Shigeru remains committed to improving his trading skills and staying up-to-date with the latest market trends.

Lessons from Shigeru Fujimoto

Lesson 1. Love what you do and stay the course

Shigeru emphasizes the importance of passion in trading.

He lives and breathes stocks, constantly observing his surroundings for market insights.

However, he does warn that trading requires a strong heart as it can often crush you. His approach has also sometimes led him to make wrong decisions and suffer losses.

However, this has never deterred him.

“I have stumbled not just seven, but about 50 times,” Fujimoto said in referring to a Japanese idiom that goes, “stumble seven times but recover eight.”

Lesson 2. Do your due diligence and don’t follow others blindly

Shigeru warns against chasing trends or mimicking investment gurus, as this often leads to failure since the information is already acted upon.

Instead, he advises doing your own research and understanding the true drivers behind stock price movements.

Lesson 3. Only invest in what you understand

Shigeru’s final lesson echoes Warren Buffett's advice: "Never invest in a business you cannot understand."

He concentrates on familiar sectors such as semiconductors and automobiles.

His understanding of these sectors allowed him to thoroughly evaluate a company's history, strengths, weaknesses, and growth potential.

Beyond the profits: The enduring legacy of Shigeru Fujimoto

Beyond his trading career, Shigeru is a man of simple pleasures.

He values his independence and prefers a modest lifestyle.

Despite his financial success, he has no desire for extravagant possessions.

Instead, he finds joy in the small things, such as spending time with his pet parakeet or taking walks in nature.

Fujimoto's life story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the pursuit of one's passions.

Even in his advanced age, he continues to inspire others with his unwavering spirit and his unwavering belief in the potential for success.

What a legend.

That’s it for today!

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