concepts
economics of international business
The term zaibatsu refers to the conglomerate business groups that became prominent in Japan during the Meiji Restoration (1868–1912), although some had roots going back to the Edo Period in the 1600s and earlier. The groups survived through the first half of the 20th century until they were forcibly disbanded after the end of World War II. They have transitioned in form since then to the keiretsu, which retain many, but not all, of their features. [Source: Encyclopedia of Business in Today's World; Zaibatsu]
zaibatsu