Overview
Berkshire Hathaway is reported to be considering increasing its equity stakes in Japan’s five largest general trading companies—Mitsubishi Corp, Sumitomo Corp, Mitsui & Co., Marubeni Corp and Itochu Corp—collectively known as the sogo shosha.
Current Holdings
As of the end of 2025, Berkshire owned between 9 % and 11 % of each of the five firms, representing a total investment of approximately $35 billion. The largest single position is in Mitsubishi Corp, where Berkshire holds 10.8 % of the share capital, valued at $9.2 billion.
Indications of Further Investment
Itochu Chairperson Masahiro Okafuji told Bloomberg that after a meeting with Berkshire’s chief executive officer Greg Abel in early September, he believes the hedge fund intends to retain its existing stakes and increase its holdings across the group. The comment was made in the context of a Bloomberg report citing the meeting.
Historical Context
The initial investment in the sogo shosha was launched by Warren Buffett in 2019, who highlighted the diversified business models and attractive valuations of the Japanese trading houses as the rationale for the purchase.
Market Implications
The potential increase in Berkshire’s holdings could reinforce its exposure to the Japanese trading sector, which is valued at $35 billion and may affect the share price dynamics of the five companies.