Formal to Superior
Cultural · Communication
You
事前にご意見をお聞かせいただければ幸いです。
じぜんにごいけんをおきかせいただければさいわいです。
I would be grateful if you could share your thoughts in advance.
Romaji: Jizen ni go-iken wo o-kikase itadakereba saiwai desu. / Reply Romaji: Wakarimashita, kangaete okimasu.
Reply
わかりました、考えておきます。
わかりました、かんがえておきます。
Understood, I'll think it over.
Gesture & etiquette
Approach individually and quietly, not in a group setting. Speak in a low, consultative tone that signals this is a private exchange. Bring a brief summary document to help them formulate an opinion efficiently.
This phrase initiates 'nemawashi' — Japan's consensus-building practice of consulting key stakeholders individually before a formal meeting. Decisions reached through nemawashi are rarely overturned because everyone's concerns are addressed beforehand.