Warren Buffett Expands Berkshire Hathaway's Stakes in Japanese Trading Firms

The legendary investor increased holdings in five major Japanese companies, signaling long-term commitment to Japan's markets.

Berkshire Hathaway raised its stakes in five Japanese trading houses—Itochu, Marubeni, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, and Sumitomo—to nearly 10% each, according to regulatory filings.
These trading houses operate across diverse sectors, including commodities, energy, and logistics, with business models Buffett likens to Berkshire's own approach.
Buffett's decision to expand investments in Japan reflects a shift away from U.S. equities, with Berkshire selling over $134 billion of U.S. stocks in 2024, including Apple and Bank of America.
The companies have agreed to relax a previous ownership cap of 10%, allowing for potential further investment by Berkshire in the future.
Buffett praised the firms' capital deployment, management practices, and investor-friendly policies, emphasizing Berkshire's intent to hold these investments for decades.