Loading…
Keigo, meeting etiquette, email formulas, and business culture — everything you need to communicate with confidence in Japanese professional settings.
Japanese has a formal register — keigo — that is mandatory in professional contexts. Most learners study Japanese without it, then struggle the moment they enter a workplace.
Polite speech — the baseline for all professional situations. Uses です (desu) and ます (masu) endings. Essential for any workplace.
Respectful speech — used when talking ABOUT someone of higher status. Elevates the listener's actions. Critical for talking about clients or seniors.
Humble speech — used when talking about YOUR OWN actions to show deference. Lowers yourself to elevate the listener. Common in emails and client interactions.
Eight phrases that cover the most common professional situations — from opening meetings to closing emails.
| Situation | Japanese | English |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting opener | 本日はお時間をいただきありがとうございます。 | Thank you for taking the time to meet with us today. |
| Agreement | おっしゃる通りでございます。 | You are absolutely right. (formal agreement) |
| Polite disagreement | おっしゃることはよく分かりますが… | I understand your point, however… (soft pushback) |
| Requesting clarification | 恐れ入りますが、もう一度おっしゃっていただけますか？ | I'm sorry to trouble you, but could you say that once more? |
| Deadline discussion | 納期についてご確認させていただいてもよろしいでしょうか？ | May I confirm the delivery deadline with you? |
| Closing a meeting | 本日はありがとうございました。引き続きよろしくお願いいたします。 | Thank you for today. We look forward to continuing our work together. |
| Email closing | 何卒よろしくお願い申し上げます。 | I humbly ask for your continued support. (formal email sign-off) |
| Offering to follow up | 後ほどメールにてご連絡させていただきます。 | I will follow up with you by email shortly. |
Language is only half the picture. These cultural norms can make or break professional relationships in Japan.
Arrive 5 minutes early — never late. Being on time in Japan means being early. Tardiness signals disrespect for the other party's schedule.
Present your card with both hands, text facing the recipient. Receive cards with both hands, read them carefully, and place them respectfully on the table — never in your back pocket.
Major decisions are rarely made in meetings. They're built through nemawashi — informal one-on-one consultations before the formal meeting. Go in with pre-alignment, not surprises.
Nomikai is where real relationship-building happens. Declining occasionally is fine, but consistent absence signals you're not invested. Kanpai together creates trust.
I passed JLPT N2 but still froze in business meetings. Three months of focused keigo practice with my teacher and I was running client calls independently.— Marcus H., expat working at a Tokyo trading firm
Matched with a specialist who has taught professionals in corporate Japan — not just general Japanese tutors.