Diplomatic culture, concessions, and sanctions relief

A new Japanese government might obtain sanctions relief while Washington focuses on Germany, but cultural expectations make an agreement difficult. American officials could treat concessions before talks as proof of good faith, while Japanese leaders could read the same advance concessions as a public admission of weakness. Concessions made inside formal negotiations could instead be presented domestically as exchanges conducted from a position of strength. The difference matters especially in a factional system where ministers risk violence for appearing to betray national interests. Insisting on preliminary concessions could therefore prevent negotiations even when making those concessions during talks would be politically possible.