Berkshire Hathaway Plans Larger Stakes in Japan’s Top Trading Houses
Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRKa) disclosed, via CEO Greg Abel’s interview with the Nikkei on 3 September 2026, that it is evaluating further increases to its equity positions in Japan’s five leading sogo‑shosha – Mitsubishi Corp. (TYO:8058), Itochu Corp. (TYO:8001), Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (TYO:8031), Sumitomo Corp. (TYO:8053) and Marubeni Corp. (TYO:8002). The conglomerates were first added to Berkshire’s portfolio in 2019 under then‑CEO Warren Buffett.
During 2025 Berkshire raised its ownership in each of the five firms to a range of roughly 9 %‑11 % and negotiated agreements that would permit holdings to exceed the 10 % threshold. Abel reaffirmed the intent to “further increase” these stakes, citing confidence in the trading houses’ growth prospects.
The market reacted positively on the day of the interview, with all five stocks posting gains; Mitsubishi and Sumitomo led the rally, each climbing close to 5 %.
According to Berkshire’s 2025 annual report, the combined market value of its positions in the five trading houses amounted to $35.37 billion. Dividend receipts from these holdings totaled $862 million for the year. Mitsubishi Corp. represents the largest single exposure, with Berkshire holding 10.8 % of the company, valued at $9.21 billion.
No specific timeline or transaction details were disclosed beyond the expressed intent to increase ownership levels.