Kyoto's Best Negotiator Reveals the Art of Agreement: How to Get a 'YES' Without Causing Conflict!

The author has faced rigid situations in Kyoto—a city where diverse cultures intersect and where it's said that "if you succeed here, you can succeed anywhere." He has worked on the front lines of business, administration, and regional communities.

Through many conflicting cases involving business regulations, landscape regulations, building regulations, and resident troubles, he has refined the "skill" of moving forward while all parties involved are satisfied. This book introduces the essence of those techniques as tools that anyone can use, stripping away specialized jargon.

"Ikezu," a term used by Kyoto people, is an art of harmony that conveys intentions without putting them into direct words. By adding "strategic Nemawashi" (root-binding/consensus building) that respects the other party and prevents conflict, "The Art of Agreement: Sly but Skillful" transforms friction into co-creation.

**Author Profile** Masakazu Hattori Born in Kyoto in 1979. Graduated from Chuo University, Faculty of Law. Administrative Scrivener. Representative of Hattori Administrative Law Office. Counselor for the Kyoto Prefecture Administrative Scrivener Association. A specialist in "bridging" administrative procedures/laws with the field, he has supported the creation of over 1,500 new businesses in Kyoto, a city known for its difficulty in starting businesses. Notably, he has served as a coordinator for projects where residents, businesses, and administration often clash, such as landscape, urban planning, minpaku (vacation rentals), and signage regulations. He is renowned for his skills in organizing conflict sites and building consensus, with a 100% agreement rate in 300 minpaku cases he was involved in.

**Book Information** Title: The Art of Agreement: Sly but Skillful Techniques Taught by a Kyoto Native Author: Masakazu Hattori Release Date: April 1, 2026 Price: 1,870 yen (tax included) ISBN: 978-4-413-23433-7