Where they are historically in terms of the stages of the lifecycles of Japan’s (nonpyramidal)
business groups is unclear. Nvertheless, that Japanese businesses including
both keiretsu groups and other businesses that have political influence is undeniable. This
might be contrasted with the current developments of the massive political influence of
pyramidal groups such as chaebols in South Korea, family business groups in India and
China’s state owned as well as private pyramidal business groups (see below).