**Keiretsu** *Pronunciation:* kay-reh-tsoo *Origin:* Japanese (系列)
*Definition:* Keiretsu refers to a network of interconnected businesses, typically part of the same industrial group, bound together by cross-shareholdings and long-term relationships. This term is particularly used to describe complex corporate structures in Japan, wherein companies maintain close business relationships, often sharing management practices, technology, and information.
*Kai:* series or system
*Retsu:* chain or sequence