trading company - Sogo shosha (総合商社) a business entity unique to Japan, trading a wide range of products and materials. In addition to trading, they have historically acted as investment banks and private equities... The seven largest sōgō shōsha are Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui & Co., Sumitomo Corporation, Itochu, Marubeni, Toyota Tsusho and Sojitz. Combined, they maintain approximately 1,110 offices in over 200 cities around the world" (Source: Wikipedia)