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keiretsu

keiretsu

3 9.9
A group of Japanese companies that work closely, own parts of each other, and are linked to a main bank
  • noun
  • /keɪˈrɛtsu/
  • Specialized
: keiretsu
  • Companies have been coerced or jawboned into combining, becoming part of a Keiretsu, or getting out of product lines.

Examples

  • In Japan, a keiretsu often involves a central bank that coordinates member companies.

  • My father is Daimatsu keiretsu.

  • Many companies in Japan form a keiretsu to strengthen their business relationships.

  • The Honda keiretsu includes various suppliers that work closely together.

Synonyms

trust
vskeiretsu
  • Archaic
22 7.0

A group of companies that work together to control a market

is formed by cooperative shareholdings and bank coordination not mainly to restrict competition
zaibatsu
vskeiretsu
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A large Japanese business group owned by one family before World War II

is a modern network of firms linked by shareholdings and bank coordination
corporate trust
vskeiretsu
  • Archaic
1 6.9

A group of companies that join to control prices and limit competition

is a network formed by mutual shareholding and coordination rather than to limit competition

Surface Forms

keiretsu singular
keiretsus plural

Etymology

The word keiretsu comes from Japanese parts kei ('group' or 'system') and retsu ('row' or 'chain'), so it means a 'chain' or 'series' of companies. That's why a keiretsu is a close group of companies that work together and help each other.