Buffett Lifts Stakes in Japan Trading Houses, Buoys Shares

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. raised its stakes in Mitsubishi Corp. and Mitsui & Co., a vote of confidence in the Japanese trading houses that stoked gains in their shares.

A unit of the US investor increased its holding in Mitsubishi to 10.23% on a voting rights basis, the Japanese firm said in a statement on Thursday, from 9.74% in March. Separately, Mitsui said Berkshire Hathaway had also lifted its stake in the trading house.