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1. Building Credibility in Japanese Business

To succeed as a business owner or CEO in Japan, gaining the trust of customers and partners is essential. In particular, when providing services to Japanese customers, the language and communication style used become the foundation of that trust. For example, a few days ago, I consulted with an American who had five years of experience as an IT consultant. He wanted to start a business offering online English lessons targeting Japanese customers. He realized that presenting his service correctly in Japanese would be necessary—from presentation materials and lesson content to websites, enrollment guides, and inquiry handling. Without appropriate language use, gaining customer trust seemed challenging. Japanese culture is highly sensitive to language nuances and politeness. Even minor phrasing errors can create distrust. In business, it’s not enough to simply use friendly Japanese; accurate and proper Japanese is required. By doing so, customers feel reassured and are more likely to trust the service, make inquiries, and eventually purchase.

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2. Overcoming Language Anxiety: The Role of Role-Playing

For those feeling uncertain about their Japanese skills, especially in business settings, role-playing is an effective way to practice. Simulating real business scenarios—such as client conversations or website inquiry responses—can help build confidence in using Japanese practically. By leveraging role-playing, entrepreneurs can prepare for various situations in advance, enabling smooth and confident communication during actual business interactions. This approach allows them to break through language barriers and deepen relationships with customers.

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3. The Importance of Japanese in Written Materials and Websites

One of the key reasons for mastering business Japanese is its importance in written materials and online content. Websites, teaching materials, and presentation documents are often the first points of contact for customers. If the Japanese used is incorrect or contains inappropriate expressions, it can undermine credibility. Even if face-to-face conversations are somewhat unnatural, professionally crafted documents and websites written in proper Japanese can reassure customers and encourage them to use the service. On the other hand, poorly written materials in Japanese may raise doubts about the business and discourage inquiries.

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4. How Mastering Japanese Leads to Business Success

The American entrepreneur in this case study aims to create an online business that can continue even after returning to the U.S. Since the initial target audience is Japanese, mastering Japanese becomes critically important. Using accurate Japanese demonstrates professionalism to Japanese customers, enhancing the trustworthiness of the business. To fulfill the role of a business owner or CEO, mastering proper Japanese and using it appropriately across various aspects of the business is key to success. Avoiding vague or incorrect language in materials or websites while ensuring polite and precise expressions can earn customer trust.

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Conclusion

Mastering business Japanese is essential for succeeding in startups and businesses in Japan. Especially for those planning to offer online services, using accurate Japanese instills trust in customers and fosters business growth. Role-playing can help entrepreneurs practice for real-life scenarios, and ensuring accuracy and politeness in written materials and websites is equally important. As a business owner, achieving success in the Japanese market requires prioritizing language use, valuing precise communication, and becoming a trusted figure to customers.