This is key to understanding Leeson's actions since before the earthquake Kobe's unauthorized account of errors, 8888, shows a flat position in Nikkei 225 futures 3 days after the earthquake, Leeson bought 10,814 contracts maturing in March 1995. No one is sure if he bought these contracts thinking that the market has overreacted to the shock of the earthquake or because he wanted to support the Nikkei to protect long positions arising from the options straddle sites. (Leeson not secured positions on the options before the earthquake and after the earthquake Nikkei futures buying may not be interpreted as part of hedging late since he would have to sell, not to buy.)