Berkshire Hathaway's investments in Japan have surpassed $31 billion, reflecting continued acquisitions by the company.

Berkshire Hathaway's Japanese Investments

Warren Buffett’s investments in Japan’s five major trading companies have grown to over $30 billion, representing a significant portion of Berkshire Hathaway’s foreign equity holdings. Since 2020, these investments have surged in value, with returns ranging from 227% to 551%, far outpacing other investments.

Increased Stake Ownership

Berkshire Hathaway has been steadily increasing its ownership stakes in Mitsui and Mitsubishi, with recent filings revealing holdings exceeding the initial 10% cap. This expansion occurred despite earlier commitments to limit ownership. Agreements between Berkshire and the Japanese firms have relaxed previous restrictions allowing for further acquisitions.

Contrasting Investment Performance

While Berkshire's Japanese investments have thrived, its investment in Occidental Petroleum has struggled. Despite initial praise for the company's CEO, the stock price has decreased significantly, creating a negative return for Berkshire. This outcome contrasts with the firm's long-standing principles of maintaining strong financial balance sheets.