keiretsu

[ key-ret-soo ]

noun

, plural kei·ret·su.

1. (especially in Japan) a loose coalition of business groups.

Word History and Origins

Origin of keiretsu¹

Borrowed into English from Japanese around 1975–80

Example Sentences

The Japanese auto industry used to draw strengths from its decades-old keiretsu system - a hierarchical pyramid of equity-interlocked suppliers with automakers sitting atop and ensuring business security.

From Reuters

Automakers might not be able to support all kinds of keiretsu companies anymore, Terasaka said, adding that he anticipated changes to how the keiretsu system operated.

From Reuters

The powerful trading houses are some of Japan’s oldest and biggest companies and the anchors of vast industrial groups called keiretsu.

From Seattle Times

The powerful trading houses are some of Japan’s oldest and biggest companies and the anchors of vast industrial groups called keiretsu.

From Washington Times

After cutting 21,000 jobs, or 14 percent of the workforce, shutting some local plants and dismantling Nissan’s “keiretsu” group companies, Nissan hits its goals a year ahead of schedule.

From Reuters