Japanese business email has its own language. There are standard opening formulas, fixed expressions for making requests, set phrases for apologies and follow-ups, and formal closing lines. If you have ever stared at a blank email to a Japanese client or colleague and not known how to start, this guide gives you every phrase you need for professional business email communication in Japanese.
| Email Part | Standard Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening (established relationship) | いつもお世話になっております。 | Itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu. | Thank you always for your support. |
| Opening (first contact) | 初めてご連絡いたします。 | Hajimete go-renraku itashimasu. | I am contacting you for the first time. |
| Making a request | おねがいがございます。 | Onegai ga gozaimasu. | I have a request. |
| Apologizing for delay | 递移になってしまい、申し訷ありません。 | Oso ni natte shimai, moushiwake arimasen. | I apologize for the delay. |
| Closing | どうぞよろしくおねがいします。 | Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu. | I look forward to your response / Best regards. |
Yukaいつもお世話になっております (Itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu) is the universal Japanese business email opener. It does not have a direct English translation — it is an acknowledgment of the ongoing professional relationship. Use it every time you email someone you have an established connection with.
Email Openings: Introducing Yourself and the Purpose
| Japanese | Romaji | Use |
|---|---|---|
| いつもお世話になっております。 | Itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu. | Standard opener with existing contacts |
| 初めてご連絡いたします。[会社名]の[名前]と申します。 | Hajimete go-renraku itashimasu. [Company] no [name] to moushimasu. | First-time email introduction |
| 加えてご連絡になってただいてありがとうございます。 | Kuwaete go-renraku ni natte itadaite arigatou gozaimasu. | Thank you for adding me to the email thread |
| 介緌につきましてお告りしたかったことがありまして。 | Shokai ni tsukimashite otashiri shitakatta koto ga arimashite. | There is something I wanted to ask about the referral |
| さっそくご連絡どうぞよろしくおねがいします。 | Sassoku go-renraku dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu. | I will get in touch promptly |
Making Requests Politely
| Japanese | Romaji | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| お教えいただけますか。 | Oshiete itadakemasu ka. | Could you let me know? |
| ⼖検証のもどぞよろしくおねがいします。 | Go-kakunin no hodo dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu. | Please review / kindly confirm |
| ⼖援界ぃちにお越しくださいませか。 | Go-shōdatš; itadakitaku, o-tazune kudasaimasen ka. | Would you be willing to consult with us? |
| お手数ですが、⼖返信いただけますどうか。 | Otesuu desu ga, go-henshin itadakemasu dōka. | Sorry to trouble you, but could you reply? |
Reiお手数ですが (Otesuu desu ga) is one of the most useful business email phrases. It literally means ‘it is a trouble for you, but…’ — acknowledging that you are asking someone to do work for you, before making the request. Always include it before any ask.
Apologizing and Acknowledging Delays
| Japanese | Romaji | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 速移になってしまい、申し訷ありません。 | Oso ni natte shimai, moushiwake arimasen. | I am sorry for the late reply. |
| ⼖返信が遊れ、申し訷なく思います。 | Go-henshin ga okure, moushiwake naku omoimasu. | I regret that my reply was delayed. |
| ⼖逸度をおかけしてしまい申し訷ありません。 | Go-mendou wo okake shite shimai moushiwake arimasen. | I apologize for the trouble this has caused. |
| 今後ともどうぞよろしくおねがいします。 | Kongo to mo dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu. | I look forward to our continued relationship. |
Closing an Email Professionally
| Japanese | Romaji | Use |
|---|---|---|
| どうぞよろしくおねがいします。 | Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu. | Standard closing (Best regards / I look forward to hearing from you) |
| いたずぎともどうぞよろしくおねがいします。 | Itazuri to mo dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu. | Looking forward to both of our continued efforts |
| 以上、どうぞよろしくおねがいします。 | Ijou, dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu. | That is all for now, best regards (after a long email) |
| のちほどご連絡いたします。 | Nochihodo go-renraku itashimasu. | I will be in touch shortly. |
Yukaどうぞよろしくおねがいします (Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu) is one of the most versatile phrases in Japanese business. It can mean ‘nice to meet you,’ ‘please take care of this,’ or ‘I look forward to working with you’ — depending on context. It closes almost every Japanese business email.
Quick Quiz
1. What is the universal Japanese business email opener (for established contacts)?
→ いつもお世話になっております。 (Itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu.)
2. How do you apologize for a late reply?
→ 速移になってしまい、申し訷ありません。 (Oso ni natte shimai, moushiwake arimasen.)
3. What phrase do you add before a request to acknowledge you are asking for someone’s effort?
→ お手数ですが、 (Otesuu desu ga…)
4. What does どうぞよろしくおねがいします mean at the end of an email?
→ Best regards / I look forward to hearing from you / Please take care of this (context-dependent)
Want to practice business Japanese email with a native speaker? Find a Japanese tutor on italki and drill email templates in real scenarios.
Have you written a business email in Japanese? What was the most challenging phrase to get right? Share in the comments — we love helping learners navigate business Japanese!
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