1.
negotiations conducted in advance of a formal meeting, contract, or decision, with the aim of aligning positions before the main discussion takes place
Talks held before a formal event — a signing, public meeting, vote, or international summit — to iron out differences, confirm shared expectations, and prevent surprises. 事前交渉 is closely related to 根回し (behind-the-scenes groundwork) but is more explicitly bilateral and typically more visible: both sides acknowledge that talks are taking place, even if the contents are not made public. Common in business deals, union–management relations, and diplomacy.
Before signing the contract, we need to hold prior negotiations with the other company.
Composed of 事前 (in advance, prior) + 交渉 (negotiation). A written, formal-sounding word common in business, labor, and political contexts.
Common collocations
- 事前交渉を行う: to conduct prior negotiations
- 事前交渉を進める: to advance prior negotiations
- 事前交渉がまとまる: prior negotiations come together / are settled
- 事前交渉が難航する: prior negotiations run into difficulty
- 事務レベルの事前交渉: working-level prior negotiations
Similar words
- 根回し: behind-the-scenes groundwork — more informal and one-sided; often done by one party quietly building support before a meeting or decision.
- 予備交渉: preliminary negotiations — a close synonym, used especially in diplomatic contexts for formal "pre-talks."
- 下交渉: preliminary / preparatory negotiation — emphasizes that the main negotiations are still to come.
- 打ち合わせ: a meeting to coordinate plans — much less formal and broader in scope; not necessarily about reconciling positions.
Register
Formal and written. Appears in business reports, union documents, and news coverage of political and diplomatic affairs. In casual conversation, people usually say 前もって話し合う (to talk things over beforehand) or 事前に相談する (to consult in advance).
Usage
- Business: vendor–client contract talks, mergers and acquisitions, joint-venture discussions
- Labor relations: union–management talks before a formal bargaining session
- Politics and diplomacy: summit meetings, treaty signings, ceasefire talks
Related Words
Compare:
根回し (behind-the-scenes groundwork)