noun
economic animal; profit-driven person
Derogatory term originally used in South and Southeast Asia in the 1960s–70s to criticize Japanese people perceived as single-mindedly pursuing economic gain.
当時、日本企業の海外進出に対して「エコノミックアニマル」という批判が向けられた。
At that time, criticism was directed at Japanese companies' overseas expansion, calling them 'economic animals.'
彼は利益のことしか考えないエコノミックアニマルだと言われている。
He is said to be an economic animal who thinks only about profit.