Berkshire Hathaway’s Abel Signals Continued Investment in Japan’s Trading Houses

TOKYO – Shares of Japan’s top five trading houses experienced mixed results on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Monday following comments from Berkshire Hathaway’s new CEO, Greg Abel, regarding the company’s investments in these unique conglomerates. Abel’s remarks came in his annual letter to shareholders on Saturday, signaling a continued commitment to the Japanese market.

Abel’s Endorsement and Berkshire’s Strategy

Greg Abel succeeded Warren Buffett as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the beginning of 2026. His letter to shareholders highlighted the strength of Berkshire Hathaway’s investments in Japan’s five major trading houses, suggesting a long-term perspective. Abel recently met with executives from these companies in Tokyo, reaffirming the company’s intention to maintain its shareholdings and explore potential collaboration opportunities, including ongoing discussions with Mitsui’s Kenichi Hori.

Buffett’s Legacy and Abel’s Promise

In his first shareholder letter, Abel paid tribute to his predecessor, Warren Buffett, while assuring investors that Berkshire Hathaway will not deviate from its established investment principles. Buffett himself has emphasized the importance of patience in investing and Abel appears to be echoing this sentiment, indicating Berkshire could hold its stakes in the Japanese trading houses for decades to come – potentially 50 years or more.

Market Context and Investor Sentiment

The broader market environment remains cautious, with investors closely monitoring U.S. Treasury yields and developments in the federal budget. Financial commentator Jim Cramer has advised investors to exercise patience amid market volatility. Despite these external factors, Abel’s commitment to the Japanese trading houses signals confidence in their long-term potential.