Berkshire increases passive stakes in five Japanese trading companies

Following the close of the markets in Japan on Monday, Berkshire Hathaway’s (BRK.A;BRK.B) wholly-owned subsidiary, National Indemnity Company, will notify Japan’s Kanto Local Finance Bureau that it has increased its ownership interest in five of the leading Japanese trading companies. The companies, listed alphabetically, are Itochu (ITOCY), Marubeni (MARUY), Mitsubishi (MSBHF), Mitsui (MTSFY) and Sumitomo (SSUMY). Presently these are the only publicly traded investments that Berkshire owns in Japan. Their aggregate value considerably exceeds that of Berkshire-held public stocks in any other country outside of the United States. Excluding shares of treasury stock, Berkshire Hathaway’s ownership interest in each of the five companies now averages more than 81/2%. This reporting of ownership interest is consistent with how Berkshire Hathaway reports its ownership interest in U.S. based publicly traded companies. Berkshire Hathaway’s intention continues to be to hold its Japanese investments for the long term. Depending on price, Berkshire Hathaway may increase its holdings up to a maximum of 9.9% in any of the five investments. However, Warren E. Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, has pledged that the company will make purchases only up to an ownership of 9.9% in any of the five investments. The company will make no purchases beyond that point unless given specific approval by the investee’s board of directors.