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Career andCommunication Skills
Improvement Information
Magazine for Foreigners

Vol.2
April in2024

Basic BusinessKnowledge
In this second issue of Smile Work, wewould like to tell you about useful tips forgreeting in business in Japan.
There are different greeting manners
depending on the situation, whether you
are talking to your bosses or colleagues,
or you are inside or outside the company
can all change how you should greet.
Greeting nicely may help later
communication to be more smooth.

There are three basic points for greetings.
Keep the following three points in mind.

① Greet the other person first
Try to greet others first. You can put your feelings into greetings, even a single word of "ohayou" or" o tsukare sama".
In order to build a smooth relationship, keep in mind to greet other people. If you give a pleasantgreeting, you can keep a good atmosphere in the workplace.

② Words first, bows later
There is a word "Gosengorei" in Japanese.
The meaning of "Gosengorei " is that you say the words first and then bow.
This is generally considered to be a correct greeting manner.
For example, you say, "Good morning" looking into the other person’s eyes, and then bow.
Remember this and try to make it a habit.

③ Making a good impression with a cheerful smile
Try to make a good impression with a cheerful smile when greeting someone.
Other people’s impressions of you are based on how you greet them.

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We will show you some words and replies to keep in mind whengreeting people at work.

Scene ① When arriving at work
When you start your work, you should say some positive words to your bosses and colleagues.
It would be nice if you could add something after "good morning" such as about today's weather.

Scene ② When leaving your seat or going out
If you are leaving your seat or going out, remember to tell your colleagues that you are heading out.
This is so that those who remain at the office will not have problems when they answer the phone orhave guests. Remember to convey information such as what you are going to do, where you are going,
and what time you will be back.
例 ・A 企業へ打ち合わせのために行ってまいります。１５時頃帰社予定となります。
E.g. (A.kigyou e uchiawase no tame ni itte mairi masu .15 ji goro kisha yotei to nari masu)
When your bosses and colleagues are going out, try to greet them using words such as "take care".

Scene ③ When returning to work
When you return to the office you need to say that you have returned before taking a seat.
例①戻ってまいりました。(modotte mairi mashi ta）②ただいま、戻りました。(tadaima, modo ri mashi ta)③遅くなりましたが、ただいま戻りました。
（oso ku nari mashi ta ga , tadaima modo ri mashi ta）※When you are late

When other people return to the office, it is important to greet them cheerfully.

Scene ④ When passing someone in the hallway while working
When you pass someone in the hallway, it is common to greet them with "otsukaresamadesu".
However, when they are concentrating on their work or having a conversation with someone,
it is always better to just bow slightly.

Scene ⑤ When leaving the office
When you finish your work, try to say something
nice and polite toyour bosses and colleagues.
When you leave the office first:
お先に失礼します(o saki ni shiturei shi masu )お先に失礼いたします(o saki ni shiturei itashi masu)
When the other workers leave the office first:
お疲れ様です(o tsuka re sama desu )お疲れ様でした(o tsuka re sama deshi ta)

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There are some expressions that you need to be careful not to
use in the business scene. Let’s use proper language.
Unsuitable words in the business scene
ご苦労様です(go kurousama desu)
お世話様です(o sewasama desu)なるほどです(naruhodo desu ne)
どちらにいたしますか(dochira ni itashi masu ka)
お久しぶりです(o hisa shiburi desu )Suitable words in the business scene
お疲れ様です(o tsuka re sama desu)
お世話になっております(o sewa ni natte ori masu)
仰る通りだと思います(ossha ru too ri da to omo i masu)
その通りだと思います(sono too ri da to omo i masu)
どちらになさいますか(dochira ni nasai masu ka)
ご無沙汰しております(go busata shi te ori masu)

Try to be careful about the meaning of the words, and change the tone of your voice.
Unsuitable words in the business scene, on the left side, are rude, especially to superiors.
Learn the right words to greet others and give a good impression.

Finally, we will share with you some basic examples of greetings inbusiness, in two different situations: With those inside or outside thecompany. Be sure to understand them well, so that you can use themproperly.
The greetings for within your company are as follows:[Greetings within your company]
Greetings
おはようございます(ohayougozaimasu)～へ行ってまいります(～ e itte mairi masu)
行ってらっしゃいませ(itte rasshai mase)
ただいま戻りました(tadaima modo ri mashi ta)
おかえりなさい(okaerinasai)
はい、かしこまりました(hai kashikomari mashi ta)
お疲れ様でした(o tsuka re sama deshi ta)
ありがとうございます(arigatou gozaimasu)
恐れ入ります(oso re i ri masu)
申し訳ございません(mou shi wake gozai masen)

When to use them
When arriving at work
When leaving the office for reasons such as having a meeting with clients
When other workers leave the office
When returning to the office
When a colleague returns to the office
When you receive a new instruction or task from your boss or senior colleague
When you or someone else leaves to go home
When you receive compliments or encouragement
When someone helps with your work
When you make a mistake at work

Try to make good use of each greeting to build a better relationship with other workers.

4Now, here are some basic expressions to greet people fromoutside your company.

[Greeting those not from your company]
Greetings
いらっしゃいませ（irasshai mase）
失礼いたします(shitsurei itashi masu)
失礼いたしました(shitsurei itashi mashi ta)
いつもお世話になっております(itsumo o sewa ni natte ori masu)
ご無沙汰しております(go busata shi te ori masu)

When to use
When a business partner or customer comes to the office
When entering the meeting room
When leaving the meeting room
・When your business partner greets you first・When contacting a customer (by phone or e-mail)When you contact a customer or a business partner you
haven't seen in a long time

If you and your business partner have built a strong relationship, you may sometimes use more casual
greetings than the ones mentioned above. Be sure to use the proper language based on who you talkto. If you are in a business meeting or are meeting the clients for the first time, please choose yourgreetings carefully.

To create a comfortable working environment for foreigners, we have made the Fukushima Prefecture“Job Emergency Map’’.
This map shows organizations that can be consulted when you have problems in the workplace.
You can download the leaflet by scanning the QR code on the right⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒⇒

If you have any comments or inquiries about this magazine,
please contact us using the QR code below.
QR codePublisher：NPO Fukushima Employment Support CenterP h o n e ：070-4419-8412
E - m a i l ：info@npo-fssc.org
Supported by：Social Welfare Corporation Central Community Chest of Japan
In cooperation with: Fukushima City International Friendship Association (Vietnamese)

Career and Communication Skills Improvement Information Magazine for Foreigners“Smile Work” cooperating organizations
Iwaki International Association, Aizuwakamatsu International Association, Minamisoma City Multicultural Center[SAKURA], Aizu Kitakata International Association, Shirakawa City International Association (Shirakawa City Planning
Policy Division), Fukushima City International Friendship Association (Office:Settlement and Exchange Division),
Fukushimaken Zaijyu Gaikokujin Sogo Shien Network, Nihonmatsu Kokusaikoryu Volunteer “Zakuzaku Netto”, Koriyama
International Exchange Association, Sukagawa Tabunka Kyosei Netto, Nihonmatsu Chikyu Shiminno Kai(Nihonnmatsu
City Hall, Secretarial Policy Devision), The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Fukushima Labor bureau), Ministry ofJustice(Fukushima District Legal Affairs Bureau)