Berkshire Hathaway to Acquire $1.8 Billion Stake in Japan's Tokio Marine — Update

By Kosaku Narioka

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway plans to acquire a 2.5% stake in Japanese insurance giant Tokio Marine Holdings for $1.8 billion as part of a strategic partnership.

Tokio Marine said Monday that it would sell treasury shares to National Indemnity, Berkshire Hathaway's core reinsurance unit, and that the partnership would include collaboration in reinsurance and potential acquisitions.

The Japanese insurer added that National Indemnity wouldn't acquire more than 9.9% of the company without prior approval from the Tokio Marine board.

Tokio Marine said it would buy back its own shares to prevent dilution of existing shareholders.

Berkshire Hathaway has built roughly 10% stakes in five major Japanese trading houses, including Mitsubishi Corp., Itochu Corp. and Mitsui & Co. The stakes were worth about $35 billion at the end of December.

Berkshire began buying shares of the major Japanese trading companies in July 2019. Buffett has praised the trading houses for their capital use, management and attitude toward shareholders.

Write to Kosaku Narioka at kosaku.narioka@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 23, 2026 04:19 ET (08:19 GMT)