Casual — to friend
Cultural · Communication
You
大きな決定の前に、関係者全員の合意を事前に取っておくのが日本式ですよ。これを「根回し」というんです。
おおきなけっていのまえに、かんけいしゃぜんいんのごういをじぜんにとっておくのがにほんしきですよ。これを「ねまわし」というんです。
Before major decisions in Japan, it's customary to quietly build consensus with all stakeholders in advance — this is called 'nemawashi.'
Romaji: Ooki na kettei no mae ni, kankei-sha zen'in no goui wo jizen ni totte oku no ga Nihon-shiki desu yo. Kore wo 'nemawashi' to iu n desu. / Reply Romaji: Naru hodo! Dakara miitingu de hantai suru hito ga inain da ne.
Reply
なるほど！だからミーティングで反対する人がいないんだね。
なるほど！だからミーティングでんとする人がいないんだね。
I see! That's why nobody disagrees in meetings.
Gesture & etiquette
An insightful, friendly tone — this is one of the most useful cultural keys for understanding Japanese business dynamics. A slow nod after your explanation allows the learner time to process the concept's implications.
「根回し」(nemawashi — literally: going around the roots) comes from gardening — loosening soil around roots before transplanting to prevent shock. In business, it means sounding out stakeholders individually before formal meetings. This is why Japanese meetings rarely involve open debate — the discussion has already happened in private.