TOKYO (TR) – As the Nikkei 225 stock average briefly shattered the unprecedented 70,000-yen mark, investment fever has gripped the nation. Among those riding the financial wave is Machiko Tezuka, a former pop idol who is proving she has a sharp mind for business and the stock market, reports Spa! (July 5).
Tezuka, a former member of idol groups SKE48 and SDN48, currently balances her active modeling career with running Hakkutsu! Gravure Bunkasai, a unique cafe staffed by gravure idols. However, her hidden talent lies in margin trading, a venture she launched into back in April 2017.
“I had been interested in investing since my 20s, but I had this image that it was only for the wealthy,” Tezuka said. Her entry into the market came when an investment school approached her to serve as their promotional model. She jumped at the opportunity, setting a personal goal to prove that “even idols can earn money.”
Starting with a modest initial capital of 300,000 yen, Tezuka quickly learned the ropes of margin trading, utilizing stocks and cash as collateral to borrow funds from a brokerage. She soon discovered the thrill of short selling.
“I didn’t know much about margin trading at first, but I found it fascinating that you can make a profit even when stock prices fall,” she explained. “Position management can be difficult, but as long as you do it properly, you can make money. I treat it like a game, and overall, my profits are steadily growing.”
“I’m glad I started investing”
The financial grind has also drastically altered the former entertainer’s lifestyle. Ditching the irregular, late-night hours typical of the idol industry, Tezuka now wakes up early every morning to monitor the opening markets.
Her daily deep dives into international financial news have also yielded unexpected benefits at her gravure cafe.
“Being well-versed in world affairs has made me much more popular with the older male customers who visit the cafe,” she laughed. “That’s another reason I’m glad I started investing.”
Now eyeing the Indian stock market, Tezuka plans to stay in the trading game for the long haul. However, she issued a stark warning to amateur investors hoping to make quick cash, noting the dark side of Japan’s current investment boom.
“There is no such thing as a guaranteed, sweet investment deal,” she warned. “I have acquaintances who have been duped, so please don’t fall for shady investment schemes.”
