If progress cannot be made in joint session, negotiators may move to private
meetings where other strategies can be used—for example:
• Delay talks to allow the Japanese counterparts to explore their options,
discuss alternatives, and build an internal organizational consensus for a
new proposal.
• Indirectly imply that alternative routes may be pursued to meet interests,
rather than continuing negotiations with the current counterpart, if adequate
progress toward agreement cannot be made.
• Bring in more senior executives of each party to promote a new look at
issues in question, break a deadlock, or encourage more cooperation.
• Ask for the help of a shokai-sha (the party that introduced you to your
Japanese counterpart) or chukai-sha (a mediator) to facilitate discussions.
(Often the shokai-sha can perform both functions.) The shokai-sha
typically facilitates by shuttling between parties and conducting private
meetings with each until an accord is reached.