Polite to Colleague
Cultural · Seasonal
You
あけましておめでとうございます。今年もよろしくお願いします。
あけましておめでとうございます。ことしもよろしくおねがいします。
Happy New Year! I look forward to your continued support this year.
Romaji: Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu. Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shimasu. / Reply Romaji: Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu. Kochira koso, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
Reply
あけましておめでとうございます。こちらこそ、よろしくお願いいたします。
あけましておめでとうございます。こちらこそ、よろしくおねがいいたします。
Happy New Year to you too. I look forward to working together this year as well.
Gesture & etiquette
A 30-degree bow is standard for this greeting in a business context. If exchanging nengajou (New Year cards), receive with both hands and read it immediately — this shows respect. Display received cards on your desk for the first week.
This phrase is used from January 1 through roughly January 7. After that, use 'Shinnen akemashite omedetou gozaimasu' or simply 'Kotoshi mo yoroshiku' for later January. In workplaces, you may bow deeply and use both hands to receive nengajou (New Year cards).