zaikaihttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zaikai_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezaikai, n.
First published 1986; not fully revised

zaikainoun

  1. 1968–
    In Japan: financial circles; the business world or power elite who control it.
    1. 1968
      A new postwar term, zaikai,..practically supersedes zaibatsu... It is frequently interpreted..as a synonym for ‘business circles’, ‘financial circles’, and even ‘business community’. More inclusive than zaibatu, it is nevertheless restricted to big business... Zaikai also denotes the place where the craving for political power is openly expressed and gratified.
      C. Yanaga, Big Business in Japanese Politics ii. 32
    2. 1970
      A Japanese economic magazine recently conducted a survey of opinion among leading representatives of the zaikai, the world of business and high finance.
      Times 19 August 5/2
    3. 1975
      The men who make up this elite in Japan spend an extraordinary amount of time in so-called zaikai activities..that are not directly related to their own companies, but which seek to represent the interests of the business community as a whole.
      G. L. Curtis in E. F. Vogel, Modern Japanese Organization & Decision-Making 38
    4. 1981
      The process of nemawashi operating in the senior levels of the zaikai world enable the companies to secure long-term goals.
      J. B. Kidd in P. G. O'Neill, Tradition & Modern Japan 50

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

zaikai, n. was last modified in December 2024.