Question
I’m traveling to Japan for a business meeting, and I want to make sure I understand how to greet everyone properly when I enter the meeting room. How do I say “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me” in Japanese?
Japango Editor Team
お時間（じかん）を割（さ）いていただき、ありがとうございます。
Ojikan o saite itadaki, arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me.
In a business context, it is essential to show gratitude and respect. This phrase will help you convey appreciation for your host’s time. Ojikan means “time”; saite itadaki means “for taking the time” (literally, “splitting time”); and arigatou gozaimasu is a polite way of saying “thank you.”
This expression can be used in various business settings where you wish to express your gratitude for the other’s consideration and time. It’s a polite and formal way to start your meeting on a positive note. Feel free to adapt this phrase to suit other contexts by replacing “ojikan” with specific actions or gestures you wish to thank your colleagues for.
