But many Japanese financial institutions, especially regional banks and credit cooperatives, would be unable to keep such large holdings of government bonds if the value of those bonds drops too far, Allen said.

NPR: Japan Gyrations Underline Economy's Vulnerability

Now, like the simultaneous air sorties of the Gulf war, a battalion of seven Bama executives fans out to meet with McDonald's franchisees, regional division heads, and buying cooperatives to discuss new products.

FORBES: The Art of War

But there's a global olive oil crisis: the regional government had to inject 62m euros into olive oil cooperatives to get them through the collapse in prices.

BBC: Spain: Simmering anger in Seville