What is “Business Japanese”?

2024/04/30

Hello, this is Muramoto, the representative. It’s a bit humiliating, but I don’t have specific answer for what it is. but from my experience worked with member from overseas, smooth communicate make business move forward. When you work at Japanese company, you face at some issues such as couldn’t hear people say in business meeting because they speak fast and natural and feel nervous when you try to tell something what you want to other members.

Or some people feel difficulty when you use Japanese expression properly depends on who you talk to(boss, colleague, client) such as Honorific language, humble language and polite language. I have summarized what points paid attention to, so I hope this will be of some help.

★This image helps you to find the issue you are facing at and find the way to solve the problem.

We broke down “business Japanese” into 3 parts. 文面(Writing) , 会話(conversation), and Keigo with some business cases, you’ll be often facing at. 

★Identify the business case and business Japanese contents should be prioritized to learn depends on the anxiety you often face at.

If you struggle using business Japanese at Japanese workplace, Let’s think like this.「the situation, business case」 × 「who you talk to」(boss, colleague, client)← select from Honorific language, humble language and polite language.

★文面(Writing) ：「the situation, business case」write internal and external emails, documentation, proposals, reports, materials etc… ×「who do you write them to ? 」(to boss, colleague, client)← select from Honorific language, humble language and polite language.

★会話(conversation)：「the situation, business case」Business Meeting, Presentation, Report to superior, phone call etc… × 「who you talk to」(to boss, colleague, client)← select from Honorific language, humble language and polite language.

The kind of Keigo：The difference between Honorific language, humble language and polite language is important. it is better to understand
・Honorific language for superiors and clients
・Polite expressions and phrases

Move your career in Japan forward by improving business Japanese skills.