Question
I’m flying to Tokyo next week to meet our company’s new partner. My boss told me Japanese business etiquette starts with the meishi (business card) exchange and warned me not to mess it up. I have no idea what to actually say or how to hand my card over. What’s the right phrase and the right way to do it?
Answer by Professional Japanese Teacher
はじめまして。〇〇会社（がいしゃ）の〇〇と申（もう）します。よろしくお願（ねが）いいたします。
Hajimemashite. [Company] no [Name] to moushimasu. Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
Nice to meet you. I’m [Name] from [Company]. I look forward to working with you.
First business trips to Tokyo are nerve-wracking, but this part you can rehearse. Say the line above as you offer your card. As the visitor, you present first — the guest and the more junior side offer their meishi before the host, so don’t wait.
Hold the card at the top corners with both hands, your name turned toward them, and offer it slightly below their card as a small sign of respect. When you receive theirs, take it with both hands and say choudai itashimasu (頂戴（ちょうだい）いたします), the standard phrase for accepting a meishi. Read the name, then place the card on the table for the meeting — don’t write on it or pocket it. A small bow is plenty.
If they don’t offer theirs and you’d like to ask:
お名刺（めいし）をいただけますか。
Omeishi o itadakemasu ka.
May I have your business card?
