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July 24, 2026
 

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TRADING HOUSES

Born on social media platforms in 2022, Opanchu Usagi has become a major hit, especially among Generation Z.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 6, 2026
Japan bets on character IP to drive global growth
Hard-working Japanese businesses and creators are banding together to drive what is now one of Japan¡¯s most valuable assets.
Kenichi Hori, CEO of Mitsui & Co., speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 29, 2026
Mitsui seeks LNG investments as data centers boost power demand
Companies seeking clean energy to power artificial intelligence infrastructure are creating ¡°big additional demand¡± for LNG, Mitsui CEO Kenichi Hori said.
A subsidiary of Itochu will take over the Japan sales operations of U.S. medical equipment maker SunMed Group Holdings, which does business in the country as AirLife.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 20, 2026
Itochu expands healthcare business with takeover of AirLife¡¯s sales
The move comes as Japan¡¯s trading houses cement healthcare as a key pillar of their businesses, placing it alongside traditional mainstays such as oil, gas and metals.
Itochu and other Japanese trading houses are making investments to solve the supply chain bottleneck for official toys, apparel and collectibles of anime and manga in overseas markets.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 15, 2026
Itochu invests in San Francisco venture to chase anime merchandise demand
Following Itochu¡¯s investment, startup Octas will license Japanese characters and work with North American manufacturers and retailers to develop products.
¡°Areas connected to southern China such as Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam will be potential regions that the company will look into,¡± said Sojitz Chief Financial Officer Makoto Shibuya.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 13, 2026
Japan¡¯s Sojitz eyes Southeast Asia for new rare earths supply
The company will also consider India and other countries if suitable rare earths investment opportunities exist there.
Environmental advocacy group Market Forces is calling on investors at Japan's three megabanks ¡ª Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho and Sumitomo Mitsui ¡ª to vote against directors failing to recognize the risks posed by fossil fuels.
ENVIRONMENT
Apr 23, 2026
Climate investor calls for votes against directors at Japan¡¯s megabanks and trading houses
Environmental advocacy group Market Forces is arguing that directors are failing to oversee material ?financial risks to the banks and trading houses¡¯ businesses.
Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 27, 2025
Berkshire to keep Japanese trader shares after Buffett¡¯s exit
Buffett has hailed the traders¡¯ strategies of running a wide range of operations, including food and energy, describing them as highly diversified.
Japan¡¯s major trading houses face a prolonged slump in iron ore and coking coal prices as Chinese steel exports flood Asia, limiting profits for at least six months.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 6, 2025
Japan¡¯s trading houses brace for more pain from China steel glut
Japan¡¯s major trading houses are facing a prolonged slump in iron ore and coking coal prices as Chinese steel exports flood into Asia and beyond.
Sumitomo President Shingo Ueno says the evolution of generative artificial intelligence is transforming business operations across various fields.
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 30, 2025
Trader Sumitomo to acquire IT service firm SCSK
By fully acquiring SCSK, Sumitomo aims to improve management efficiency and strengthen its artificial intelligence business.
A deal for TiAuto would give Marubeni a foothold in Africa¡¯s largest economy.
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 17, 2025
Marubeni in talks to acquire Carlyle-backed TiAuto
The deal for the South African retailer of automotive tires and parts may be valued at about 2.6 billion rand ($149 million).
Marubeni Ennex tanks in Chiba Prefecture
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 1, 2025
Marubeni to lift Japan power business with new trading firm
The company¡¯s power retail arm and its U.K.-based energy trading unit SmartestEnergy will each hold a 50% stake in the newly-formed venture.
Itochu is planning to issue between ?30 billion and ?50 billion in local currency debt and is weighing a $500 million bond, said Kenichiro Soma, executive officer and general manager of finance.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 26, 2025
Itochu mulls first dollar note issue in five years to diversify
The push comes as tighter credit spreads and expectations for U.S. rate cuts fuel demand for investment-grade bonds, with premiums over government debt near the lowest since 2007.
Warren Buffett first revealed stakes in Japan¡¯s top five trading houses, also known as "s¨­g¨­ sh¨­sha," in 2020.
BUSINESS
Sep 22, 2025
Buffett raises Mitsui stake in bet on Japan¡¯s trading houses
The U.S. investor increased its holdings in Mitsui to more than 10% on a voting-rights basis, and may consider expanding its stake even further.
Itochu has raised ?15.2 billion ($103 million) from a sale of Japan¡¯s first so-called orange bonds to fund gender equality projects.
BASEBALL
Sep 5, 2025
Itochu sells Japan¡¯s first orange bonds for gender equality
The Japanese trading house raised ?15.2 billion ($103 million) from the debt sale, more than the initial plan for a ?10 billion offering.
Bob Mumgaard, CEO of Commonwealth Fusion Systems, says the U.S. firm wants to deploy a reactor in Japan in the late 2030s or early 2040s.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 4, 2025
Nvidia-backed U.S. atomic fusion firm eyes reactor in Japan
Commonwealth Fusion Systems, which raised $863 million from investors including Nvidia, said it has been in talks with Japanese government officials on the use of its technology.
Wind turbines in the town of Happo in Akita prefecture. Wind power is a key part of Japan's alternative energy drive.
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Aug 28, 2025
Mitsubishi¡¯s wind-power retreat a blow to Japan¡¯s alternative-energy goals
Dramatic withdrawal by trading house from three projects comes amid similar moves globally.
Marubeni will jointly hold Senoko with Singapore¡¯s Sembcorp Utilities.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 25, 2025
Marubeni boosts power role in Singapore by raising Senoko stake
Following the acquisition, Marubeni will jointly hold Senoko with Singapore¡¯s Sembcorp Utilities.
Intermediary support is crucial for drug availability in Japan, where more than 50 therapies have been identified as needed but unavailable to patients.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 5, 2025
Itochu working to support overseas pharma firms to fill Japan¡¯s drug gaps
Two units of the trading house will assist with everything from early-stage consulting, regulatory advice and clinical testing support to post-launch distribution.
Japanese trading companies' shares gained following comments from Warren Buffett at the Berkshire Hathaway¡¯s annual meeting that he expects his company to hold the shares for 50 years or more.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 4, 2025
Buffett inspires retail investors to bet on Japan trading houses
Japanese trading companies shares gained following comments from Warren Buffett that he expects his company to hold the shares for 50 years or more.
Masayuki Omoto, Marubeni president and CEO, in Tokyo on Tuesday. Omoto has affirmed the Japanese trading house¡¯s commitment to a long-term partnership with Berkshire Hathaway, echoing sentiments recently expressed by the U.S. investment firm.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 13, 2025
Marubeni aligned with Berkshire Hathaway on long-term value, says top exec
Berkshire has steadily increased its stakes in Japan¡¯s five largest trading houses, with Chairperson Warren Buffett signaling in February that he plans to boost holdings further.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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