What is the total amount of this investment? What percentage does it represent in Berkshire Hathaway's overall portfolio?

Buffett's Investment in the Five Major Trading CompaniesWarren BuffettInvestment AmountPortfolioBerkshire HathawayProportion Analysis
Created At: 8/6/2025Updated At: 8/17/2025
Answer (1)

Total Investment Amount

According to public information, Warren Buffett's investments in Japan’s five major trading houses (Itochu, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Sumitomo, and Marubeni) through Berkshire Hathaway began in 2020. The initial total investment amounted to approximately $6.25 billion (about 5% stake in each company). By 2023, Berkshire increased its holdings to roughly 8-9%, with the current total investment (including appreciation) exceeding $17 billion (subject to latest market data due to stock price gains).

Proportion in Berkshire Hathaway’s Portfolio

Berkshire Hathaway’s overall equity portfolio totals approximately $350 billion (as of end-2023). The investment in Japan’s five major trading houses represents about 4-5% of the portfolio, with minor fluctuations due to market volatility:

  • Initial proportion: ~1-2% (based on portfolio size at the time of investment in 2020).
  • Current proportion: ~5% (accounting for increased holdings and stock appreciation).
  • Analysis: This investment reflects Buffett’s diversification strategy, focusing on trading houses with stable cash flows and high dividends. However, it remains a relatively small portion compared to core holdings like Apple (~50% weighting), demonstrating significant risk diversification.
Created At: 08-06 12:08:21Updated At: 08-09 22:03:13