Question
I’m traveling to Japan for a business meeting and I’m not very confident in my Japanese. How can I politely introduce myself in Japanese, especially in a formal business setting?
Japango Editor Team
はじめまして、[Your Name] と申（もう）します。よろしくお願（ねが）いします。
Hajimemashite, [Your Name] to moushimasu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
Nice to meet you, my name is [Your Name]. I look forward to working with you.
In Japanese business culture, introductions are very important. “Hajimemashite” is used like “Nice to meet you”. “[Your Name] to moushimasu” translates to “My name is [Your Name]”—use “moushimasu” as the polite way to introduce oneself.
Lastly, “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu” is a common phrase that implies looking forward to a good relationship or cooperation. It’s hard to translate directly to English, but it conveys respect and willingness to cooperate, making it essential in formal settings.
