[Japanese Idioms by Flashcards]
根回し
“preparing the roots for transplanting”
(informally securing prior approval, checking with everyone who counts before formal presentation, covering all the bases)
Nemawashi now is used worldwide to characterize the consensus-building nature of Japanese business practices. Literally, nemawashi means cutting off excess roots and wrapping the remaining roots with a straw mat for protection when transplanting the tree. In business terms it means an informal solicitation of agreement before formal submission of approval at a meeting.
Sample text:
(Style: spoken/casual/male)
A: Kyoo no kaigi umaku iku ka naa.
B: Daijoobu daroo. Kanari nemawashi ni jikan o kakete kitashi, konkai no purojekuto wa buchoo mo noriki da kara.
A: 今日の
B: 大丈夫だろう。かなり
A: I wonder if today’s meeting is going to go well.
B: I think it will be fine. I spent a lot of time covering all the bases, and I know the manager likes our proposal.
Japanese Idioms
