zaibatsuhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zaibatsu_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezaibatsu, n.
First published 1986; not fully revised

zaibatsunoun

  1. 1937–
    In Japan, a large capitalist organization, usually based on a single family having controlling interests in a variety of companies, of a type that existed before the war of 1939–45; since 1947, a cartel or conglomerate. Also, the members of such an enterprise.
    1. 1937
      These concerns are popularly known in Japan as the Zaibatsu or money-cliques.
      Economic Journal vol. 47 272
    2. 1947
      A chosen financial oligarchy, the famous Zaibatsu.
      R. Benedict, Chrysanthemum & Sword iv. 93
    3. 1957
      The zaibatsu and the landlords.
      Pacific Affairs vol. 30 219
    4. 1959
      By getting the right people to sit for you. The zaibatsu. The Royal Family.
      R. Kirkbride, Tamiko (1960) vi. 41
    5. 1964
      While the companies being merged presently are old Zaibatsu connected firms, and the groups are sponsoring the moves, the economics of the mergers themselves have little to do with such connections.
      Asia Magazine 26 July 15/2
    6. 1965
      The Zaibatsu are becoming concerned about the problems of seniority and management.
      Economist 11 December 1219/2
    7. 1970
      A zaibatsu is similar to a U.S. conglomerate, which is also a group of unrelated companies under sophisticated financial management.
      Scientific American March 31/2
    8. 1974
      When a community, historically prone to become the victim of unreason, finds itself in a position of success amid failure, its only recourse is probably to go to ground. The Japanese Zaibatsu understood this; a really successful Japanese business man was and is rarely obtrusive.
      P. Gore-Booth, With Great Truth & Respect 45
    9. 1982
      Japan's prewar zaibatsu holding companies.
      K. Ohmae, Mind of Strategist (1983) ix. 109

zaibatsu, n. was first published in 1986; not fully revised.

zaibatsu, n. was last modified in December 2024.