Understanding Japanese manners and proper language use is key to making a good impression in business. Using the right words shows respect and helps communication go smoothly. In Japan, business language can be complex, especially polite expressions. This guide will help you master them, starting with the basics in Part 1. For more tips on other Japanese manners, read on below!
Table of Contents
Chikako Higuchi
Expert in Etiquette and Communication;
Former Shiseido Beauty Consultant. At Shiseido, gained deep expertise in hospitality, aesthetics, and understanding customers’ needs. Moved to KidZania Tokyo, a job-experience theme park for children, to share these skills. Earned the Outstanding Supervisor Award for delivering courteous service and led staff etiquette training.
Later, trained over 20,000 people in etiquette across the country. Involved in publishing, writing columns, supervising magazine articles, and appearing in the media.
Chapter 1: Basic Greetings
This section covers greetings for first meetings. First impressions shape future relationships. Greet with a smile and a friendly tone to create a good impression.
1. Greetings for First Encounters
“Nice to meet you. My name is △△ from ○○ Company. I look forward to working with you.”
- Japanese: はじめまして。○○会社の△△と申します。よろしくお願いいたします。
- Romaji: Hajimemashite. ○○ kaisha no △△ to mōshimasu. Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
This greeting is simple and polite. Speak clearly and slowly so the listener can understand your name and company.
2. Self-Introduction
Name and Company
“I am △△ from ○○ Company.”
- Japanese: ○○会社の△△と申します。
- Romaji: ○○ kaisha no △△ to mōshimasu.
Job Title and Responsibilities
“I work in the Sales Department and mainly handle □□.”
- Japanese: 営業部で主に□□を担当しております。
- Romaji: Eigyōbu de omoni □□ o tantō shite orimasu.
Relevant Information (if needed)
“I previously worked in ○○.”
- Japanese: 以前は○○の業務をしておりました。
- Romaji: Izen wa ○○ no gyōmu o shite orimashita.
Closing Greeting
“I look forward to working with you.”
- Japanese: 今後ともよろしくお願いいたします
- Romaji: Kongo tomo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
At business networking events or casual settings, adding a personal detail, such as hobbies or family, can make your introduction more engaging.
3. Exchanging Business Cards
Introducing Yourself
“Nice to meet you. I am △△ from ○○ Corporation.”
- Japanese: はじめまして。株式会社〇〇の△△と申します。
- Romaji: Hajimemashite. Kabushiki-gaisha ○○ no △△ to mōshimasu.
Greeting
“I look forward to working with you.”
- Japanese: どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
- Romaji: Dōzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
Receiving the Other Person’s Business Card
“You are ○○, correct? Thank you for your card.”
- Japanese: ○○様でいらっしゃいますね。頂戴いたします。
- Romaji: ○○-sama de irasshaimasu ne. Chōdai itashimasu.
Irregular Situations and Useful Phrases
If You Don’t Have a Business Card
- English: I have not made my business cards yet, so I will contact you later.
- Japanese: まだ名刺を作っておりませんので、後ほどご連絡をいたします。
- Romaji: Mada meishi o tsukutte orimasen node, nochihodo go-renraku o itashimasu.
- Tip: Accept their card and send a follow-up email later.
If You Run Out of Business Cards
- English: I’m sorry, but I have run out of business cards. I will contact you later.
- Japanese: 申し訳ございません、名刺を切らしてしまいました。後ほど、ご連絡をいたします。
- Romaji: Mōshiwake gozaimasen, meishi o kirashite shimaimashita. Nochihodo, go-renraku o itashimasu.
For further information on how to exchange business cards, please refer below.
Chapter 3: Greetings in the Workplace
Let’s learn some common greetings used at work.
1. When You Arrive at Work
“Good morning.”
- Japanese: おはようございます。
- Romaji: Ohayō gozaimasu.
Used even in the afternoon if arriving later in the day.
2. When You Leave the Office
“I’m going to ○○.”
- Japanese: 〇〇に行ってまいります。
- Romaji: ○○ ni itte mairimasu.
3. When You Return to the Office
” I’m back.”
- Japanese: ただいま、戻りました。
- Romaji: Tadaima, modorimashita.
4. When You Pass By a Colleague in the Office
“Thank you for your hard work.”
- Japanese: お疲れ様です。
- Romaji: Otsukaresama desu.
In Japanese companies, it is a custom to say “お疲れ様です” (Otsukaresama desu) when passing by someone in the office. This is a phrase of appreciation and can be used with anyone. For example, when passing someone in the hallway or when you meet someone after work at the station.
5. When You Receive Instructions
“Understood.”
- Japanese: かしこまりました。
- Romaji: Kashikomarimashita.
Also: 承知しました, Shōchi shimashita.
6. When You Leave Work Early
“Apologies for leaving before you.”
- Japanese: お先に失礼いたします。
- Romaji: Osaki ni shitsurei itashimasu.
If others are still working, you may also ask, “Is there anything I can help with?” if you have time.)
Inappropriate Phrase:
It’s not appropriate to say “ご苦労さまです / Gokurosamadesu” to customers or superiors.
“ご苦労さまです” is a phrase used by superiors to acknowledge and thank subordinates for their hard work. It carries the nuance of evaluating their efforts, which is why it’s not commonly used these days.
Chapter 4: Meetings
Here are some useful phrases for meetings and presentations. It’s important to express appreciation to participants at both the beginning and end.
1. Starting the Meeting
“The meeting is about to begin. Thank you for joining us today.”
- Japanese: 「定刻になりましたので、ただいまより○○会議を始めます。本日はご参加いただきありがとうございます。」
- Romaji: “Teikoku ni narimashita node, tadaima yori ○○ kaigi o hajimemasu. Honjitsu wa go sanka itadaki arigatou gozaimasu.”
2. Ending the Meeting
“That concludes today’s discussion. Thank you for your time.”
- Japanese: 「本日の内容は以上です。お時間をいただき、ありがとうございました。」
- Romaji: “Honjitsu no naiyou wa ijou desu. O jikan o itadaki, arigatou gozaimashita.”
3. Asking for Questions
“Do you have any questions so far?”
- Japanese: 「ここまでで、何かご質問はございますか？」
- Romaji: “Koko made de, nanika go shitsumon wa gozaimasu ka?”
“Thank you for your great question.”
- Japanese: 「良いご質問をありがとうございます。」
- Romaji: “Yoi go shitsumon o arigatou gozaimasu.”
When someone asks a question, be sure to thank them. It helps create an opportunity for everyone to share and learn.
4. Asking a Question
“Excuse me, may I ask a question?”
- Japanese: 「はい（Raise hand）質問をしてもよろしいでしょうか？」
- Romaji: “Hai （Raise hand） shitsumon o shite mo yoroshii deshou ka?”
“May I ask one thing?”
- Japanese: 「ひとつ、お尋ねしてもよろしいでしょうか？」
- Romaji: “Hitotsu, otazune shite mo yoroshii deshou ka?”
Japanese manners can be a bit complex and challenging to grasp, but these key phrases will help you navigate business interactions more smoothly. Keep learning with Part 2 for more tips on other Japanese manners!
