Question
I’m on a week-long business trip in Osaka and my second day went sideways — I ran through my stack of meishi at the morning meeting and had nothing left when I got introduced to a senior manager after lunch. I want to apologize properly the next time this happens. How do I say “I’m out of business cards” politely in Japanese?
Answer by Professional Japanese Teacher
あいにく名刺（めいし）を切（き）らしておりまして…
Ainiku meishi o kirashite orimashite…
Unfortunately, I’ve run out of business cards…
This is the line you reach for in exactly that situation, and it’s worth memorizing before your next trip. Ainiku means “unfortunately,” and kirashite orimashite is the polished, business-grade way of saying “I’ve run out” — softer than the everyday kirashimashita. Trail it off with that “…” feel; you don’t need to finish the sentence. The other person will read the apology in your tone.
Pair it with a small bow and a quick follow-up:
申（もう）し訳（わけ）ございません。後（のち）ほどメールでお送（おく）りいたします。
Moushiwake gozaimasen. Nochihodo meeru de o-okuri itashimasu.
I’m very sorry. I’ll send you my details by email later.
Then make sure you do — that same evening, email the person your name, title, company, and contact details. In Japan the meishi isn’t a leaflet, it’s a stand-in for your introduction, so following up promptly is what turns the apology into something they’ll remember kindly rather than as a slip.
