Formal to Client
Cultural · Etiquette
ありがとうございました。よろしくお願いいたします。（エレベーターが閉まるまで頭を下げる） — Thank you very much. I look forward to your continued support. (bowing until the elevator door closes) (Cultural · Etiquette, Formal to Client, JLPT N4)
You
ありがとうございました。よろしくお願いいたします。（エレベーターが閉まるまで頭を下げる）
ありがとうございました。よろしくおねがいいたします。（えれべーたーがしまるまであたまをさげる）
Thank you very much. I look forward to your continued support. (bowing until the elevator door closes)
Romaji: Arigatou gozaimashita. Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu. (bow held until elevator closes) / Reply Romaji: (guest presses the button; both bow as doors close)
Reply
（エレベーター内でも軽くお辞儀）
（えれべーたーないでもかるくおじぎ）
(Guest bows back slightly from inside the elevator as doors close)
Gesture & etiquette
Stand at 30-degree bow, eyes downward, facing the elevator. Hold the position until the doors are completely closed. Do not look up or move until then — even if the elevator is slow. If the guest waves through the closing gap, acknowledge with a slight nod.
In Japanese business culture, you continue bowing until the elevator door is fully closed or the guest's car has driven away. Turning away before this point is considered careless and disrespectful. The guest should press the elevator button themselves — pressing it for them can seem like you are rushing them.