Answer to Question 1
Japanese export trading companies have operations all around the world, ranging from finance to distribution, technology, mining, oil and gas exploration, and information. They act as intermediaries for half of Japan's exports and two thirds of its imports. Currently, they are changing from pure traders to more financially sophisticated investment holding companies. The biggest of the traders are members of keiretsus. U.S. export trading companies are consortia of smaller suppliers, service-oriented firms, multinational corporations and quasi-public organizations.
Answer to Question 2
A