Top 5 Japanese Business Phrases to Use in Meetings

Introduction

If you work in a Japanese company—or attend meetings with Japanese colleagues—you’ve probably noticed that certain polite expressions appear again and again. Mastering these phrases will not only help you follow the natural flow of Japanese meetings, but also show cultural awareness and respect.

At iiicareer, we often hear from bilingual professionals who want to contribute confidently in meetings but worry about sounding too casual or direct. The good news? With just a handful of set phrases, you can sound both professional and natural.

Here are 5 essential Japanese business phrases that you can start using in your next meeting.

If you are interested in learning more phrases, you can always check out our blog on 5 Essential Japanese Phrases!

1. 本日のアジェンダをご確認いただけますか？

(Honjitsu no ajenda o go-kakunin itadakemasu ka?)
“Could you please review today’s agenda?”
👉 A polite way to start meetings and make sure everyone is aligned.

2. ご意見をいただけますか？

(Go-iken o itadakemasu ka?)
“May I have your opinion?”
👉 Encourages open discussion while keeping the tone respectful.

3. この件については後ほどフォローアップいたします。

(Kono ken ni tsuite wa nochihodo fooro appu itashimasu.)
“I will follow up on this matter later.”
👉 Keeps the meeting efficient, showing accountability without going off track.

4. ご確認のほど、よろしくお願いいたします。

(Go-kakunin no hodo, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.)
“I would appreciate it if you could kindly review this.”
👉 A professional phrase to use when requesting reviews or actions.

5. 本日のミーティングは以上です。ありがとうございました。

(Honjitsu no miitingu wa ijou desu. Arigatou gozaimashita.)
“That concludes today’s meeting. Thank you.”
👉 A polite and standard way to close a meeting on a positive note.

Pro Tips for Using Business Japanese

• Context matters: Use more formal phrasing with clients, slightly casual ones internally.
• Listen & mirror: Observe how colleagues use these expressions and mirror their tone.
• Consistency is key: Even if grammar isn’t perfect, using set expressions shows effort and professionalism.

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