41.   In Japanese firms, an apparent surfeit of managers can often be crucial to innovation.

42.   In the financial arena, Merrill Lynch is talking about buying part of the branch network of Yamaichi Securities, a giant Japanese firm that collapsed in November.

43.   Inspired by the high gas prices of their homeland, Japanese firms have taken a big lead in hybrid development, with American automakers lagging years behind.

44.   It is a well-known Japanese firm, which has produced such popular game titles as King of Fighters, Metal Slug and Fatal Fury.

45.   It is based upon teachings of such management pioneers as W. Edwards Deming, whose principles were applied successfully by Japanese firms.

46.   It says the sanctions are unfair to Japanese firms, and extends American law beyond American shores.

47.   It is in the midst of a turnaround after several years of losing market share to Applied Materials and a Japanese firm called TEL.

48.   Itochu Fashion is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Japanese trading firm Itochu Corp.

49.   Japanese firms are aware of the productivity gains that rivals elsewhere have started to enjoy from networking creatively.

50.   Japanese firms often bring funds home at this time of year, selling foreign currencies for yen in the process.