This has been a real pain, because there are no numbers entered in the grid, and I can only enter a specific one (which I don't know). Sorry I don't have any letters - they're in a different part of the grid:
1d Party, with and without backing, acquiring Japanese Oxygen - might this reflect investments? (8)
2d Old question of independence assimilated by Islamic state's languages (9)
I am trying to get the NW corner but I can't seem to make a start, so help with these, with explanations, would be gratefully received.