Berkshire hires banks to arrange the issuance of yen bonds in the midst of market volatility.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has hired banks to arrange its first yen bond issuance since November last year, sparking speculation about its investment plans in Japan. Mizuho Securities said in an email on Thursday that the American insurance group had appointed Mizuho Securities and Bank of America Securities to prepare for a potential benchmark-sized yen bond issuance; the issuance is expected to take place soon if market conditions allow.