This article examines several and cultural and linguistic aspects regarding Japanese informal agreements as well as legal contracts. The building up of trust as an integral part of the negotiation of the contract is emphasized. This is reflected in the "good faith" and "harmonious consultation" clauses common to many Japanese contracts, in addition to vague and nonspecific wording in certain clauses. Other negotiation phenomena such as regurgitation, hedging, and a closing known as "awase" are also discussed. By examing these areas the author attempts to illuminate and scrutinize crosscultural factors previously thought to be opaque and inscrutable which directly impinge upon the effective translation of agreements.