keiretsu
noun[CorU]
uk/keɪˈretsuː/uspluralkeiretsuFINANCE,WORKPLACE
in Japan, agroupofcompaniesthat arecloselyconnected, forexamplebecause they ownsharesin each other, and thatworktogether todevelopandprotecteach other'sbusiness:
As thebiggestownersof cross-holdings ofshares, thebankssitat thecentreof most keiretsu.
U.S. automakers are at adisadvantagein Japan because ofstrongkeiretsubusinesstieswhichtendtolimitdealershipstosellingonly onebrand.