Final answer:
The term that represents hierarchical alliances between manufacturers and retailers in Japan is (C) Keiretsu. These networks include businesses like manufacturers and banks, which are intertwined through share ownership and strategic partnerships.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hierarchical alliances between manufacturers and retailers in Japan are best represented by Keiretsu. A Keiretsu is a set of companies with interlocking business relationships and shareholdings. These alliances often include a range of businesses, like manufacturers, supply chain partners, and banks, all of which are intertwined through share ownership, strategic partnerships, and history. These networks were built upon earlier family-controlled networks known as Zaibatsu. The other options such as Chaebol, Global Strategic Partnerships (GSPs), and Joint ventures do not specifically refer to these Japanese business networks. Chaebols are South Korean conglomerates, GSPs can be any international partnership, and joint ventures are a general business arrangement between two or more parties.
Japans's economy has seen significant economic growth since 1945, becoming Asia's economic superpower and setting a high standard for manufacturing, especially in the automobile industry with well-known brands like Toyota, Honda, and Nissan, among others. This reflects the broader trend of globalization which has allowed Japanese manufacturers to compete effectively in the global market, challenging formerly dominant U.S. auto manufacturers.