Question
I’ve just arrived in Japan on a business trip and will be meeting a client for the first time. I want to make a good impression and thank them for taking the time to see me. How do I say “Thank you for meeting with me” in Japanese?
Japango Editor Team
お時間（じかん）をいただき、ありがとうございます。
Ojikan o itadaki, arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me.
When conducting business in Japan, expressing gratitude for someone’s time is crucial to establishing a good relationship. The phrase “Ojikan o itadaki, arigatou gozaimasu” acknowledges the other person’s effort and time commitment. Ojikan means “time”; itadaki is a humble form of “to receive”; and arigatou gozaimasu is a polite way of saying “thank you.” Use this phrase at the beginning or end of your meetings to show appreciation.
You can also adjust the phrase for different situations, such as substituting “ojikan” with “oshisetsu” if you visited their company, which means “hospitality or guidance.”
