keiretsu
noun [ C or U ]
uk/keɪˈretsuː/ usplural keiretsu FINANCE, WORKPLACE
in Japan, a group of companies that are closely connected, for example because they own shares in each other, and that work together to develop and protect each other's business:
As the biggest owners of cross-holdings of shares, the banks sit at the centre of most keiretsu.
U.S. automakers are at a disadvantage in Japan because of strong keiretsu business ties which tend to limit dealerships to selling only one brand.