The Etiquette for Sending Business Emails in Japan

Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage. – Theodore Roosevelt

Hi, my name is Taisei Koshida, and I am a certified public accountant as well as a tax accountant.

I aim to assist non-Japanese business owners who struggle with reading or writing in Japanese. If you find the Japanese tax return system challenging, I can help you with your tax filings.

If you are unclear about the etiquette for sending business emails in Japan, you might find this blog helpful.

Receiver’s position and other details

The name of the company, the position of the recipient, and the recipient’s name are written at the beginning of the email like “日本株式会社 製造部部長 越田泰生様”. Titles such as ‘president’ or ‘manager’ carry respect, therefore, it is considered incorrect to use “様” after a title like “越田部長様”, as it duplicates the honorific connotation.

Initial Greetings

You should start with a standard business greeting, such as “いつもお世話になります。”, which translates to “Thank you for your continued support.” This applies even if you have never met the recipient and are sending an email for the first time.

Closing Greetings

After writing the main content, you should conclude with a standard closing line, such as “よろしくお願い致します。”, which translates to “I look forward to your cooperation.”

Signature

You should include your company name and your name at the end of the email. It is less common to include your position.

Example of a Business Email in Japan

日本株式会社　

製造部部長　

越田泰生様

いつもお世話になります。

この度は、・・・・。

・・・・・・・・・。

よろしくお願い致します。

大阪株式会社　本町太郎

Our accounting and tax office has been actively assisting foreign business owners in Japan with accounting and tax matters. Also, not only in the tax and accounting field, our office can support your business in Japan in the fields of visa, registration, social insurance, and law by networking with specialists. Plus, we have networked with specialists in web marketing, building websites, and business consulting suitable for Japanese customers. All services are provided in English. Please feel free to reach out to us through the inquiry form.