Takafumi Horie, aka Horiemon, is in disgrace. He and other senior executives of Livedoor, the Internet company, have been arrested on suspicion of violating securities laws.
Everybody calls Mr. Horie an alchemist now. They have taken to doing so ever since allegations about his questionable business practices came to light. Alchemists generally fall into two categories. They are either frauds or fanatics.
So which one is Mr. Horie?