🤫 The Secret 'Backroom Dealing' of Japanese Office Workers: 根回し (Nemawashi)

Have you ever walked into a meeting at a Japanese company, presented a heartfelt idea, and been met with silence, or vague phrases like 「一度持ち帰って検討します」(I'll take it back and consider it)?

If so, you may have missed a crucial step in Japanese work culture: 根回し (Nemawashi).

What is so 'divine' about 根回し?

Literally, 根 (ne) is root, and 回し (mawashi) means to turn around, to dig around. The term originates from gardening, referring to the act of digging around the root ball of a large tree before transplanting it. This helps the tree adapt and grow in its new environment.

In the business world, 根回し is the art of "lobbying" or "backroom dealing" quietly before a formal decision is made. It's not a shady practice, but a high-level social skill to ensure consensus and avoid unnecessary conflicts.

Why do they "go around the tree roots"?

In a culture that values harmony (和 - wa), publicly opposing someone's opinion in a meeting is considered a major taboo. It can cause the presenter to "lose face" (メンツが潰れる - mentsu ga tsubureru).

Therefore, instead of waiting until the meeting to voice their opinions, the Japanese will:

1. 💬 Talk 1-on-1: Speak privately with each relevant person before the meeting.
2. 👂 Listen and gather opinions: Find out what concerns they have, if they have other suggestions.
3. 🛠️ Adjust the plan: Based on the feedback received, they will refine their proposal to address those concerns.
4. 🤝 Create an informal consensus: Once they have the agreement of key figures, the formal meeting is almost just a ceremony to pass the decision that has already been "sealed" beforehand.

A real-life example

• ❌ Without Nemawashi: You bring a new plan into the meeting aggressively. Boss A is worried about the cost, Ms. B from accounting is worried about personnel. Your idea gets "put on hold" indefinitely.

• ✅ With Nemawashi: A week before the meeting, you have coffee with Ms. B, briefly explain the idea, and ask about personnel issues. Then, you email Boss A with a preliminary cost estimate. On the day of the meeting, everyone is already "in the loop" and ready to raise their hands in agreement. Everything goes as smoothly as a well-rehearsed play. 🎉

A tip for you

Next time you want to propose something, don't rush! Try starting with a small conversation:

「〇〇さん、今ちょっといいですか。実は、今度の△△の件で、少しご相談したいことがありまして…」 (Mr./Ms. OO, do you have a moment? Actually, regarding the △△ matter, I have something I'd like to discuss with you...)

By doing this, you not only increase the chances of success for your idea but also show that you are a very thoughtful and subtle person in the eyes of your Japanese colleagues. That's the "survival guide" in the Japanese workplace! 😉