Will Warren Buffett's bet on Japan's trading houses bear fruit?

Stakes provide access to information, but unclear whether they can deliver growth

The famed American investor owns 7.4% stakes in Japan's five major trader houses. © Reuters

TAKEHIRO HASEGAWA and TOMOYA ONISHI, Nikkei staff writers

April 13, 2023 23:54 JST

TOKYO -- Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has high hopes for Japan's well-connected trading houses in an increasingly information-driven world, though the businesses still have much to prove on the ability to turn investments into a driver for growth.

Buffett is in Japan this week and is meeting with the leaders of the five top players -- Itochu, Mitsubishi Corp., Mitsui & Co., Sumitomo Corp. and Marubeni. He told Nikkei his Berkshire Hathaway has increased its stake in each of them to 7.4%.