three public corporations and five government enterprises
Historical term referring to a specific set of state-run entities in postwar Japan: Japan National Railways, Japan Monopoly Corporation, and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (the three corporations), plus postal services, mintage, printing, management of state-owned forests/fields, and alcohol monopoly (the five enterprises).
The three public corporations and five government enterprises were important public institutions that supported the postwar Japanese economy.
Compound of 三 (three), 公社 (public corporation), 五 (five), and 現業 (government enterprise). The term was used in postwar Japan to refer to a specific group of state-run entities.