Abel signals Berkshire's commitment to expanding Japanese trading house holdings

Greg Abel made his first trip to Tokyo as Berkshire Hathaway's chief executive and announced plans to build larger ownership positions in Japan's five major trading companies: Mitsubishi, Itochu, Mitsui, Sumitomo, and Marubeni. The investment conglomerate is already above the 10% threshold for all five firms and has been actively adding to its Mitsubishi position, which grew to 10.23% after standing at 9.74% in August 2025. Abel indicated Berkshire is also pursuing joint venture and acquisition opportunities involving these trading houses on a worldwide basis. Regarding macro headwinds, Abel brushed aside worries about Japanese interest rates, arguing that the trading companies consider yield movements manageable even though Japan's 10-year benchmark has climbed to levels unseen in three decades, breaking above 3%. He emphasized Berkshire views its yen-denominated debt issuance as part of a long-term Japan strategy and plans to sustain its trading house investments for years to come.

1. Abel visited Tokyo for the first time as CEO since taking the role in January 2026
2. Berkshire is considering increasing stakes in Mitsubishi, Itochu, Mitsui, Sumitomo and Marubeni
3. Berkshire's Mitsubishi stake moved up from 9.74% in August 2025, reaching 10.23%
4. The company maintains ownership exceeding 10% across all five of Japan's major trading houses
5. Japan's 10-year yield recently reached a 30-year high above 3%
6. Abel stated the trading houses regard rising yields as relatively contained and tolerable