The Japanese stock market is about to get a jolt of unexpected energy. Toshiya Imura, a former comedian turned self-made investment guru, and Keizo Takeiri, an eccentric ex-Goldman Sachs analyst, are launching a new stock fund. This unlikely duo, with their combined expertise and unconventional approaches, aims to revolutionize Japanese investing.
Imura, a 40-year-old father of three, amassed a personal fortune of ¥6.5 billion ($41.4 million) through astute stock picking. His investment prowess became so legendary that stocks would often surge simply after regulatory filings revealed him as a major shareholder. Investors eager to capitalize on his success diligently tracked “Imura stocks,” seeking to mirror his value-investment strategy.
However, Imura’s ambitions extend beyond personal wealth. He envisions empowering more Japanese citizens to participate in the stock market and reap its benefits. This goal aligns with the Japanese government’s ongoing initiative to encourage household investment in financial markets, currently holding an estimated $6.5 trillion in cash.
To realize this vision, Imura sought out an equally unique partner: Keizo Takeiri. Takeiri, a 38-year-old known for his exceptional analytical skills and unconventional personality, was a former Goldman Sachs analyst. He had previously garnered attention from Akira Katayama, a renowned online gamer turned billionaire hedge fund manager.
Imura was immediately impressed by Takeiri’s photographic memory, analytical talent, and profound financial knowledge when they first met in 2020. “His knowledge was next-level,” Imura commented in a recent interview with Reuters, alongside Takeiri and a representative from Fundnote, the fund’s operator.
Takeiri, often referred to as a “stock otaku” by former colleagues, admitted to prioritizing stock research and mahjong over attending classes during his time at the prestigious Tokyo University. His unconventional habits extend beyond academia; Imura playfully described Takeiri’s occasional appearance with “holes in his clothes and bizarrely long fingernails.” He added, “Maybe he doesn’t care or notice? He’s a real high-spec weirdo.”
The admiration is mutual. Takeiri revealed that Imura, while known for sending a barrage of Slack messages daily, would often disappear for days while immersed in analyzing a company’s financial statements. “The force with which he throws himself into finding out what he wants to know is out of this world,” Takeiri remarked.
This unique partnership promises a dynamic investment approach. The fund, launching on January 10th, will initially be capped at ¥10 billion. This venture represents not only a significant development in the Japanese investment landscape but also a compelling example of how unconventional talent can disrupt traditional finance.
This new fund, combining Imura’s proven stock-picking abilities and Takeiri’s deep analytical expertise, offers a unique opportunity for investors seeking exposure to the Japanese market. The fund’s launch in January is expected to attract significant interest, potentially reshaping the landscape of Japanese investment.
