Laying the groundwork - Nemawashi

Japanese: 根回し - ねまわし

To form an agreement in an informal setting to make meetings and negotiations go smoothly and favorably. It is also called shitasaku or shitakondaishina. Originally, it was a horticultural term referring to a treatment carried out one or two years before a tree is replanted to encourage the growth of fine roots, but it has come to mean maneuvering in advance. It is often carried out before or after an issue emerges or after a meeting or negotiation breaks down, and usually involves methods such as requesting, persuasion, and compromise through discussion. While lobbying, which is seen among U.S. lawmakers, is an effort to strongly influence political decisions, including the formation and mobilization of public opinion, nemawashi is more of a self-serving tone, such as adjusting the interests of the parties involved. Originally, unanimity was the rule in Japanese villages, and differences of opinion were considered to endanger the existence of the village, which is the background to the birth of this practice. One aspect of this is that the discussions are held behind closed doors, which allows for honest discussion and speeds up the process until a final decision is made. However, there are also problems in that the lack of disclosure of information about the process can easily lead to suspicion and speculation, and the official decision-making process can become merely ceremonial.

Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia About Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia Information

Japanese:

会議や交渉を円滑，有利に運ぶために，非公式の場で合意の形成をはかること。下工作，下相談ともいう。元は樹木の植え替え後の活着を容易にするため，1～2年前に行なう細根の発生を促す処置をさす園芸用語であったが，事前に工作するという意味合いから転用されるようになった。争点が浮上する前後，会議や交渉の決裂後によく行なわれ，話し合いによる依頼，説得，妥協といった手法を用いるのが通常である。アメリカ合衆国の議員にみられるロビイング (ロビー活動) が，世論の形成や動員までも含めた，政治的決定に強い影響を及ぼす働きかけであるのに対して，根回しは当事者間の利害調整といった打算的色合いが強い。元来，日本の村落では全会一致が原則であり，意見の対立は村落の存立を危うくするものとされてきたことが，こうした慣行を生んだ背景となっている。密室であるがためにかえって本音で議論ができ，最終決定まで迅速に進むという側面もあるが，経過の情報開示がされないことで疑惑や憶測を招きやすく，公式決定の場が儀礼的になるといった問題点もある。

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