Japanese Business Etiquette: What to Know Before You Start
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Do you feel unsure about Japanese workplace etiquette? Worried about interviews or how to act at work? Concerned that not knowing Japanese etiquette might hurt your impression?
This guide explains practical points you can use in interviews, after joining a company, and in everyday communication. By the end, you’ll feel, “I can do this!”
✔ 10 essential Japanese business etiquette points to learn first
✔ How to speak for a good impression in interviews
✔ Tips to build trust at work
✔ Meeting etiquette basics to avoid trouble
✔ How to write emails and chat messages
✅ 1. What is Japanese business etiquette?
The core of Japanese business etiquette is consideration for others. More than special knowledge, kindness and saying “thank you” matter.
Here are three key ideas to keep in mind when working in Japan.
🧭 Three key ideas
1) Be on time: Respect others’ time.
2) Use polite language: “desu / masu” style creates a sense of safety.
3) Be aware of people around you: Think about the whole team, not only yourself.
📘 How to use this guide
• Start with 10 etiquette points to learn first.
• Then see tips by situation: interviews → workplace → meetings → email & chat.
• At the end of each section, check the 💡 “common mistakes”.
✅ 2. 10 etiquette points to learn first
There are many rules, but you don’t need to learn all at once. Start with these 10 etiquette points and you’ll feel safe in most workplaces.
1️⃣ Value greetings
「おはようございます」(Ohayō gozaimasu) — Good morning / 「おつかれさまです」(Otsukaresama desu) — Hello at work / Thanks for your hard work.
2️⃣ Be on time (arrive 5 minutes early)
Being prepared a little early builds trust.
3️⃣ Use polite language
「です・ます」(desu / masu) — polite sentence endings that make people feel comfortable.
4️⃣ Keep a clean, simple look
Clean and simple clothing shows care for others. Avoid strong perfume and flashy colors.
5️⃣ Report, inform, and consult
Share even small updates to protect team trust.
6️⃣ Nod while listening
Nodding shows “I’m listening”.
7️⃣ Say thank you clearly
「ありがとうございます」(Arigatō gozaimasu) — Thank you.
8️⃣ Avoid bothering others
Be careful with noise, smells, and shared spaces.
9️⃣ Limit smartphone use at work
Use it on breaks. Focus during work leaves a good impression.
🔟 If you make a mistake, tell it quickly
Early reporting prevents problems. Honesty builds trust.
With these 10 points, you can act calmly in interviews and on your first day. Next, let’s see how to apply them in interviews.
💡 Common mistakes
• No greeting, or voice too small to hear
• Arriving just on time (not prepared)
• Interrupting a manager or coworker
• Hiding mistakes
👉 Small actions make trust. Try to be the person others feel “nice to work with”.
✅ 3. Interview etiquette
An interview shapes your first impression. In Japan, greetings, posture, and facial expressions show politeness. Let’s follow the flow from entry to exit.
【Clothes & grooming】
• Wear basic, clean clothes. Check for wrinkles, stains, and dust.
• Use little perfume and keep accessories minimal. Keep hair so your face is clearly visible.
【Entering & greeting】
• Knock 3 times → enter after hearing “please come in”.
• Close the door quietly, stand in front of the interviewer, and greet brightly.
• In front of the chair, say: 「◯◯と申します。よろしくお願いいたします。」(◯◯ to mōshimasu. Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.) — “I’m ◯◯. Thank you for meeting me.” → Sit after being invited.
【Posture & sitting】
• Sit with a straight back, hands lightly on your thighs.
• Keep your feet together (don’t cross). Put your bag beside the chair / by your feet.
【Speaking & eye contact】
• Speak slowly with a slightly louder voice and polite endings.
• Look at the interviewer’s eyes / eyebrows area. It’s OK to look away sometimes.
• If you don’t understand, use cushion phrases like 「確認してもよろしいでしょうか」(Kakunin shite mo yoroshii deshō ka) — “May I confirm?”.
【Leaving the room】
• Stand beside the chair and say: 「本日はありがとうございました」(Honjitsu wa arigatō gozaimashita) — “Thank you very much for today.”
• Bow lightly again near the door and leave quietly.
💡 Common mistakes (interviews)
• Entering without knocking / without waiting for a reply
• Sitting before being invited
• Crossing legs / slouching far back
• Voice too small / speaking too fast / no eye contact
• No closing words / shutting the door loudly
👉 In interviews, politeness and calm movement shape your impression.
✅ 4. Workplace etiquette
Daily greetings, reporting, and kindness build trust. In Japan, it’s important to think of the whole team, not only your own tasks. Here are basics you can use from day one.
【Daily greetings】
• When arriving: 「おはようございます」(Ohayō gozaimasu) — Good morning. / When leaving: 「お先に失礼します」(Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu) — I’ll leave before you (polite).
• For busy people, a small voice is OK. Smile and match the other person’s eye level.
【Report / inform / consult】
• Share progress or trouble early. Even “I might be a little late” is helpful.
• Before talking to your boss, ask: 「今よろしいでしょうか？」(Ima yoroshii deshō ka?) — “Is now a good time?”
• Report in the order: conclusion → reason → next action.
【Desk & during work】
• Keep your desk simple and tidy. Put things back after use.
• Reduce small talk and smartphone use.
• Set phone notifications to silent.
【Breaks & lunch】
• Say a short line when taking a break: 「休けいに入ります」(Kyūkei ni hairimasu) — I’ll take a break.
• Be careful with food smells and sounds.
• In shared spaces, clean up after use.
【Helping & teamwork】
• If others are busy, say: 「何か手伝えることはありますか？」(Nanika tetsudaeru koto wa arimasu ka?) — “Can I help with anything?”
• When asking for help, clearly say the deadline, purpose, and priority.
【Before leaving / end of day】
• Share your status in one line: “◯◯ is done up to here.”
• When leaving, say: 「お先に失礼します」(Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu) — “I’ll leave before you.” and bow lightly to your boss and nearby coworkers.
💡 Common mistakes (workplace)
• No greeting / no eye contact
• Not consulting when in trouble, staying silent until the deadline
• Not careful about personal items / food smells and sounds
• Many phone alerts or chats / messy desk
• Leaving without saying anything
👉 A small word and early sharing can change trust at work a lot.
✅ 5. Meeting etiquette
In meetings, timing and listening are key. Listening well and not interrupting build trust in Japan. Here are the points.
【Basics in meetings】
• Silence your phone before the meeting. Prepare a notebook and pen.
• While others speak, show reaction with nodding or saying 「はい」(Hai) — “Yes / I see.”
• Speak after someone finishes. Avoid speaking too strongly.
【How to express opinions】
• Start gently: 「私は〜と思います」(Watashi wa 〜 to omoimasu) — “I think that 〜.”
• When you disagree, add a cushion: 「たしかに〜ですが…」(Tashika ni 〜 desu ga…) — “That’s true, but …”
【Working well with your boss】
• When your boss advises you, say: 「ありがとうございます」(Arigatō gozaimasu) — Thank you.
• It’s OK to ask questions: 「もう一度教えてください」(Mō ichido oshiete kudasai) — “Please tell me once again.”
💡 Common mistakes (meetings)
• Interrupting others
• Using your phone / no eye contact
• Not sharing the conclusion
• Ignoring advice / no reaction
👉 Remember the basics: listen, wait, speak clearly. Meetings will go smoothly.
✅ 6. Email & chat etiquette
Email and chat hide your face — wording changes impressions a lot in Japan. Focus on being polite, clear, and quick.
【Opening greeting & self-intro】
• Start with 「お世話になっております」(Osewa ni natte orimasu) — “Thank you for your continued support,” or 「ありがとうございます」(Arigatō gozaimasu) — “Thank you.”
• State your name and team so the reader knows you quickly.
【Writing style】
• Use short lines and separate paragraphs.
• Avoid emotional symbols (!, 😢) in business writing.
• When asking, use gentle forms like 「〜していただけますか？」(~ shite itadakemasu ka?) — “Could you please 〜?”
【Replies & reactions】
• Reply as soon as possible. If you need time: 「確認してご連絡します」(Kakunin shite go-renraku shimasu) — “I’ll check and get back to you.”
• In chat, don’t end with only a sticker. Add a short line like 「ありがとうございます！」(Arigatō gozaimasu!) — “Thank you!”
【Useful phrases】
• 「いつもありがとうございます。」(Itsumo arigatō gozaimasu.) — Thank you as always.
• 「お手数をおかけしますが、よろしくお願いいたします。」(Otesū o okake shimasu ga, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.) — Sorry for the trouble, and thank you in advance.
• 「ご確認をお願いいたします。」(Go-kakunin o onegai itashimasu.) — Please check.
• 「ご連絡ありがとうございます。」(Go-renraku arigatō gozaimasu.) — Thank you for your message.
💡 Common mistakes (email & chat)
• Writing only the request without a greeting
• Very long paragraphs that are hard to read
• Slow replies, or sticker-only replies
• Using too many “!” or emoticons (too casual)
👉 When faces are hidden, polite words and quick replies build trust.
✅ 7. Summary: Start working in Japan with confidence
Japanese business etiquette is not a set of difficult rules. It comes from consideration for others. Greeting, being on time, and saying thank you gradually build trust.
💪 Five things you can do today
1) Greet in the morning and when leaving
2) Reply quickly to emails and chats
3) Don’t interrupt when others speak
4) Ask early when you don’t understand
5) Say 「ありがとうございます」(Arigatō gozaimasu) — “Thank you.”
Kind actions are always noticed. If you’ve read this guide, you’re ready.
Take your first step with confidence to work in Japan.
※ This guide shows common etiquette in Japan. Practices differ by company, industry, and team culture.
Please use this as a reference and adjust to your own workplace.
🔑 Key points
• Japanese business etiquette comes from caring for others
• You don’t have to be perfect — improve step by step
• Use this guide to build confidence and try your next interview or job
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