Berkshire Hathaway, the Omaha-based conglomerate led by Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett, announced on April 22, 2026, that it has acquired a 2.49% stake in Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. The investment, valued at approximately $1.8 billion, represents a significant expansion of Berkshire’s strategic involvement in the Japanese financial services sector. The transaction was disclosed through a series of regulatory filings in Tokyo, confirming that the acquisition was completed through its wholly-owned subsidiary, National Indemnity Company.
The agreement between the two entities includes a specific provision that allows Berkshire Hathaway to increase its equity interest in the Japanese insurer up to a maximum of 9.9% over the next two years. This arrangement is consistent with Berkshire’s previous entry into the Japanese market in 2020, when it acquired stakes in five major trading houses and pledged not to exceed a 9.9% ownership threshold without the consent of the respective boards of directors. The current investment in Tokio Marine follows a similar framework of long-term, passive ownership.
Tokio Marine Holdings is Japan’s largest property and casualty insurance group by market capitalization and maintains a substantial international presence. For the most recent fiscal period, the company reported a consolidated net income of 650 billion yen, driven by strong performance in its domestic non-life insurance segment and its overseas subsidiaries, including HCC Insurance Holdings and Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corp in the United States. Group CEO Satoru Komiya stated that the company welcomes Berkshire Hathaway as a long-term shareholder and remains committed to its strategy of disciplined underwriting and capital diversification.
The move into the Japanese insurance market aligns with Berkshire’s core expertise in the insurance and reinsurance industries. Berkshire Hathaway already owns several major insurance carriers, including GEICO, General Re, and Alleghany Corporation. By investing in Tokio Marine, Berkshire gains exposure to the Japanese insurance market’s stable premium base and the company’s extensive global reinsurance network. This acquisition marks the first time Berkshire has taken a direct, significant stake in a Japanese financial institution outside of the diversified trading companies.
The $1.8 billion investment was financed using Berkshire’s substantial cash position, which reached a record high of $189 billion as of the last quarterly report. Under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan, Berkshire will be required to submit a Large Shareholding Report if its stake exceeds the 5% threshold. The company has stated it intends to hold the investment for the long term, focusing on the underlying value and dividend growth of Tokio Marine’s operations.