Introduction

When starting a business in Japan, especially if you aim to expand in the Japanese market, Japanese language skills are crucial. This is particularly true when starting a business outside major cities like Tokyo or Osaka. Mastering business Japanese and building relationships with local B2B partners are key to success. This article will explain the importance of Japanese in business activities and detail basic business terms. Additionally, we will discuss the current state of English proficiency in Japan, the comfort of using Japanese, and the power of industry information collection in the Japanese market.

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1. The Importance of Japanese Language Skills

Here are reasons why Japanese language skills are essential:

• Building Trust: In Japan, accurately using Japanese is vital for building business trust. To strengthen relationships with business partners and clients, it is important to use proper honorifics and polite expressions.
• Smooth Communication: Overall English proficiency in Japan is low, especially in business contexts where Japanese is the primary communication tool. Mastering Japanese helps prevent misunderstandings and facilitates smoother business interactions.
• Expanding Business Opportunities: Being able to conduct marketing and sales activities in Japanese opens up more business opportunities. To fully leverage networks expanding from regional areas to Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Kyushu, Japanese language skills are crucial.

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2. Basic Business Terms and Phrases

Here are some essential Japanese phrases useful in business, along with their explanations:

• 「お世話になっております」 (Osewa ni natte orimasu) Meaning: A phrase to express gratitude at the beginning of business communication. Example: “Osewa ni natte orimasu. This is Tanak from ABC.co.ltd . I would like to discuss our inbound business in Kagawa Prefecture.”
• 「ご確認ください」 (Go kakunin kudasai) Meaning: A phrase used to request the review of documents or information. Example: “Go kakunin kudasai. I look forward to discussing this at our next meeting.”
• 「お忙しいところ恐れ入りますが」 (Oisogashii tokoro osoreirimasu ga) Meaning: A polite expression used when making a request or inquiry during a busy time. Example: “Oisogashii tokoro osoreirimasu ga, could you please check this matter?”
• 「どうぞよろしくお願いいたします」 (Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu) Meaning: A phrase used to conclude business communications or requests. Example: “Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu. I also request your assistance in Osaka.”

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3. Common Misunderstandings and Solutions in Business Japanese

Misunderstandings can occur when using Japanese. Here are some common issues and their solutions:

• Use of Honorifics: Overusing honorifics can sometimes create distance. It is important to use appropriate honorifics effectively.
• Ambiguous Expressions: Japanese often includes ambiguous expressions, so it is crucial to communicate your intentions clearly. Choose specific words and ensure accurate communication.

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4. The Comfort Gained from Learning Japanese

Mastering Japanese provides the following comforts:

• Support in Native Language: Being able to communicate in Japanese helps you understand subtle nuances and cultural differences more easily, facilitating smoother relationships with business partners and clients.
• Ease of Troubleshooting: Solving problems and negotiating in Japanese helps prevent misunderstandings and troubles caused by language barriers, leading to smoother business operations.

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5. The Power of Industry Information Collection in the Japanese Market

For the success of an inbound business, gathering information on the Japanese market is essential. Utilizing Japanese allows for:

• Understanding Industry Trends: Using Japanese sources to keep track of industry trends and market dynamics. Especially when you want to get information about startup companies, you should use Japanese when searching on Google.
• Competitor Analysis: Analyzing competitors’ movements and strategies through Japanese materials and reports to benefit your own business strategy.
• Local Business Practices: Understanding local business news and practices to succeed in expanding from regional areas to Tokyo, Kansai and Kyushu.

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6. Resources and Methods for Learning Business Japanese

Here are resources and methods for effectively learning Japanese:

• Japanese Language Schools and Online Courses: Utilize classes and courses specialized in business Japanese. Courses tailored to the inbound industry can be particularly beneficial.
• Business Books and Materials: Use books and materials focused on business Japanese to enhance your skills.
• Practical Business Practice: Practice Japanese in real business settings, such as meetings and negotiations. For example, you can use role-playing programs focused on business Japanese to practice in realistic scenarios.

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Conclusion

To succeed in starting a business in Japan, enhancing your Japanese language skills is crucial. Mastering Japanese will help build trust, enable smooth communication, and expand business opportunities. Additionally, utilizing Japanese for information collection will aid in understanding industry trends and competitor strategies. Continue to focus on learning business Japanese to achieve success in the Japanese market.