Berkshire raises stakes in five Japanese trading houses to near 10%

Kantaro Komiya

Sun, Mar 16, 2025, 11:54 PM 1 min read

By Kantaro Komiya

TOKYO (Reuters) -Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway raised its holdings successful 5 Japanese trading houses, regulatory filings showed connected Monday, successful the U.S. conglomerate's latest investments successful Japan's apical commodity firms that began astir 5 years ago.

Berkshire's involvement successful Mitsui & Co roseate to 9.82% from 8.09%, portion its holdings successful Mitsubishi Corp, Sumitomo Corp, Itochu and Marubeni besides roseate by immoderate percent points, according to documents filed to Japan's securities watchdog by its unit, National Indemnity Company.

The filings followed Buffett's yearly missive to Berkshire shareholders past month, wherever helium said the 5 trading houses agreed to "moderately relax" limits that capped Berkshire's ownership stakes beneath 10%.

"Over time, you volition apt spot Berkshire's ownership of each 5 summation somewhat," Buffett had written.

Known arsenic "sogo shosha", the trading houses woody successful a assortment of materials, products and nutrient - often serving arsenic intermediaries - and supply logistical support. They are besides progressive successful the shipping, vigor and metals businesses.

(Reporting by Tokyo Newsroom; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)