Japanese business meetings have their own vocabulary, structure, and etiquette. Whether you're attending a 会議 (kaigi, formal meeting) or a 打ち合わせ (uchi-awase, informal planning session), knowing the right phrases will help you participate confidently and make the right impression.
At a Glance: Japanese Meeting Phrase Types
| Function | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Opening the meeting | これより会議を始めます。 | Korekara kaigi wo hajimemasu. |
| Agenda announcement | 本日の議題は〜です。 | Honjitsu no gidai wa ~ desu. |
| Giving the floor | ご意見をお聞かせください。 | Go-iken wo okikase kudasai. |
| Agreeing with a proposal | そのご案に贛成です。 | Sono go-an ni sansei desu. |
| Closing the meeting | 以上で会議を終わります。 | Ijou de kaigi wo owarimasu. |
Japanese business meetings have a clear structure — opening, agenda, discussion, decision, close. Once you know the key phrase for each stage you'll follow along much more easily!
Opening the Meeting
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| ご集まりいただき、ありがとうございます。 | Go-atsumari itadaki, arigatou gozaimasu. | Thank you all for gathering. |
| 本日はお忙しい中、ご参加いただきありがとうございます。 | Honjitsu wa o-isogashii naka, go-sanka itadaki arigatou gozaimasu. | Thank you for joining us on this busy day. |
| これより、会議を始めたいと思います。 | Korekara, kaigi wo hajimetai to omoimasu. | I would like to begin the meeting now. |
| 本日の議題は次のとおりです。 | Honjitsu no gidai wa tsugi no toori desu. | Today's agenda is as follows. |
Presenting and Explaining Ideas
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| お会いしたいことがあります。 | O-shirase shitai koto ga arimasu. | I have something I'd like to report. |
| 提案があります。 | Teian ga arimasu. | I have a proposal. |
| 資料をご覧ください。 | Shiryou wo go-ran kudasai. | Please look at the materials. |
| これは〜についてのデータです。 | Kore wa ~ ni tsuite no deeta desu. | This is the data about ~. |
| 要点をまとめますと、〜です。 | Youten wo matomemasu to, ~ desu. | To summarise the key points, it is ~. |


How do I ask a question politely during a Japanese meeting without interrupting?


Use: よろしければ、質問してもよろしいでしょうか。 (Yoroshikereba, shitsumon shitemo yoroshii deshou ka.) — If I may, could I ask a question? This is very polite and won't feel intrusive.
Asking Questions and Seeking Clarification
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 質問してもよろしいでしょうか。 | Shitsumon shitemo yoroshii deshou ka. | May I ask a question? |
| もう少し詳しく教えていただけますか。 | Mou sukoshi kuwashiku oshiete itadakemasu ka. | Could you explain that in a bit more detail? |
| ご確認させてください。〜ということでよろしいですか。 | Go-kakunin sasete kudasai. ~ to iu koto de yoroshii desu ka. | Let me confirm. Is it correct that ~? |
| 理解しました。 | Rikai shimashita. | I understand. |
| 引き続きお願いします。 | Hikitsuzuki o-negai shimasu. | Please continue. / I'll continue to be in your care. |
Agreeing, Disagreeing, and Responding to Proposals
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| そのご案に贛成です。 | Sono go-an ni sansei desu. | I agree with that proposal. |
| ごもっともです。 | Go-mottomo desu. | That's a valid/reasonable point. |
| 少し持ち帰って検討したいと思います。 | Sukoshi mochikatte kentou shitai to omoimasu. | I'd like to take some time to consider this. |
| その点については、別の観点があります。 | Sono ten ni tsuite wa, betsu no kanten ga arimasu. | Regarding that point, I have a different perspective. |
| 負担できない部分があります。 | Futan dekinai bubun ga arimasu. | There are parts we cannot manage. (Soft refusal) |
Decision-Making and Action Items
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| では、この方向で進めましょう。 | De wa, kono houkou de susmemashou. | Then let's proceed in this direction. |
| 担当者は〜さんです。 | Tantousha wa ~ san desu. | The person in charge is ~. |
| 期限は〜までです。 | Kigen wa ~ made desu. | The deadline is by ~. |
| 次回の会議は〜の予定です。 | Jikai no kaigi wa ~ no yotei desu. | The next meeting is scheduled for ~. |
Closing the Meeting
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 以上で、本日の議題は終わりです。 | Ijou de, honjitsu no gidai wa owari desu. | That concludes today's agenda. |
| ご参加いただきありがとうございました。 | Go-sanka itadaki arigatou gozaimashita. | Thank you for attending. |
| お疲れさまでした。 | O-tsukare sama deshita. | Thank you for your hard work. |
| 以上で会議を終わります。 | Ijou de kaigi wo owarimasu. | This concludes the meeting. |


お疲れさまでした (o-tsukare sama deshita) is the most important phrase to remember — it's said at the end of any meeting or work session and shows appreciation for everyone's effort.
Quick Quiz: Japanese Meeting Phrases
1. How do you say “May I ask a question?” politely in Japanese?
→ 質問してもよろしいでしょうか。 (Shitsumon shitemo yoroshii deshou ka.)
2. What phrase marks the end of a work session?
→ お疲れさまでした。 (O-tsukare sama deshita.)
3. How do you introduce an agenda item: “Today's agenda is as follows”?
→ 本日の議題は次のとおりです。 (Honjitsu no gidai wa tsugi no toori desu.)
4. What is a polite way to disagree or ask for time to consider?
→ 少し持ち帰って検討したいと思います。 (Sukoshi mochikatte kentou shitai to omoimasu.)
5. What is 打ち合わせ (uchi-awase)?
→ An informal pre-meeting or planning session between colleagues




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Which Japanese meeting phrase do you find most challenging? Leave a comment below — and share your own favourite business Japanese phrases!
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