Buffett: Laughing at Japan's investments, Buffett said that not investing is not because he is worried about Greg Abel's future success, but because of other reasons.

Buffett: Laughing at Japan's investments, Buffett said that not investing is not because he is worried about Greg Abel's future success, but because of other reasons.

Warren Buffett's annual shareholder meeting at Berkshire Hathaway is always a significant event for investors, but this year's meeting, scheduled for May 2, 2025, holds extra significance. The "Oracle of Omaha" is approaching his 95th birthday, and his succession plan is a major topic of discussion. Buffett has been vocal about his confidence in Greg Abel, who currently heads Berkshire Hathaway Energy, to take over as CEO [1].

In the midst of this, Japan's Toyota Motor is exploring a potential buyout of key parts supplier Toyota Industries, which could cost up to $42 billion [2]. Toyota Industries, a major manufacturer of forklifts and engines, has faced increasing shareholder pressure to unwind its cross-shareholdings to boost returns and focus on growth strategies. Toyota Motor is considering a buyout to improve corporate governance and reduce cross-shareholdings.

Despite the focus on succession and Japan's investment moves, Buffett has been clear that his decision not to invest in Japan is not due to concerns about Abel's future success. Instead, he has cited other reasons for his investment strategy. Buffett has always been cautious about Japan's economic outlook and has been known to avoid investing in markets with high inflation and low interest rates [3].

Investors are eagerly awaiting Buffett's insights on the global trade war, the impact of tariffs on Berkshire's businesses, and his views on the U.S. economy. They also want to hear about Berkshire's plans for utilizing its massive cash reserves and potential acquisitions or buybacks. This year's meeting is seen as one of the most important in history, possibly Buffett's last full participation, and investors are preparing for a Berkshire without him at the helm.

References:
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/video/just-warren-buffetts-chosen-successor-103055449.html
[2] https://images.thedailystar.net/business/news/toyota-considers-investing-potential-42-billion-buyout-key-supplier-3881201
[3] https://longportapp.com/en/news/238608909