Famitsu gave Skyrim a score of 40/40, making it the first video game developed entirely by non-Japanese companies to receive a perfect rating from them.

A samurai bond is a yen-denominated bond issued in Tokyo by non-Japanese companies, and is subject to Japanese regulations.

Philips N.V., the European electronics and music giant, was among the 21 non-Japanese companies present.

Mr. Kaji said the project might be open to some "competitive" non-Japanese companies, but added, "We will not welcome free riders."

That figure is true as regards loans made in the 1991 fiscal year, and means 69% (worth $1.8 billion) of the contracts were won by non-Japanese companies.

The company has also been listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange since 1996, being the first Asian non-Japanese company to be listed there.

The new pact will call for non-Japanese companies to achieve 20 percent market share in Japan by the end of 1992.

The business situation for non-Japanese companies has improved, though, due to growing experience of foreign firms on the market and more international cooperation in the wake of globalization.

The trade agreement has also fallen short of insuring that 20 percent of the chips sold in Japan come from American and other non-Japanese companies.

Third was the second letter which was the manufacturer's code, and included some non-Japanese companies.