1.   And Japanese media have reported for months that prosecutors believe Nikko made similar payoffs.

2.   And Japanese media have reported for months that Daiwa Securities Co. and Nikko Securities Co. may similar illegal payoffs.

3.   But some at NBC argued it is just as likely that studios with clout like Warners will try to put off any extension, looking for a similar payoff.

4.   Cigarettes, for instance, could carry a line promoting an evolutionary payoff similar to the one I suggested for booze and driving.

5.   He said he knew of similar payoffs to Billmyer and schemes that Joselyn concocted to skim money from education and advertising programs.

6.   Kodak hopes the tactic will result in a similar payoff, especially in rural Japan, where Fuji is especially dominant.

7.   A Nikko spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the company took the scandal seriously and will try hard to prevent the recurrence of a similar payoff.

8.   Many companies in Japan are suspected of making similar payoffs to racketeers who threaten to disrupt shareholder meetings with embarrassing revelations or shouting matches.

9.   Many big names in corporate Japan have been embroiled in similar payoff scandals this year.