I do not invest for free gifts.
This may sound strange in Japan, where shareholder benefits are often treated as something special.
Free tickets.
Discount coupons.
Small products.
Limited gifts.
Many people seem happy to receive them.
But I have never felt excited about that kind of reward.
To me, investing is not about receiving a small gift from a company.
It is about owning a part of a business that can grow, expand, and create value over time.
I do not want to be entertained with small rewards.
I want my money to work.
I want my assets to grow.
I want more freedom.
That is why I feel more comfortable investing in U.S. stocks.
There, I feel like I am participating in the growth of a company.
With many Japanese stocks, I often feel like individual investors are being attracted by small gifts instead of real long-term value.
Of course, some people enjoy shareholder benefits.
That is their choice.
But for me, investing is not a stamp rally.
It is not a coupon hunt.
It is not a game of collecting small rewards.
Investing is one of my tools for freedom.
And freedom is much more valuable than a free gift.
