On January 16, 2026, Mitsubishi Corporation announced the acquisition of Aethon, a US shale gas developer, for approximately 1.2 trillion yen—the company's largest M&A transaction ever. The deal includes acquiring all shares of Aethon for $5.2 billion and assuming $2.33 billion in liabilities, with completion expected between April and June 2026.

CEO Nakaishi Katsuya emphasized that the acquisition enables Mitsubishi to manage natural gas production, transportation, and sales comprehensively throughout the US market. The company aims to strengthen Japan's energy security through guaranteed gas supply and integrated US gas operations.

The Trump administration's support for the energy sector and reduced gas export restrictions create favorable conditions, as emerging market electricity demand and global LNG market expansion provide strategic opportunities for this major investment.