Formal to Superior
Workplace · Meeting
では、始めさせていただきます。よろしくお願いいたします。 — Then, let us begin. Thank you for joining us. (Workplace · Meeting, Formal to Superior, JLPT N3)
You
では、始めさせていただきます。よろしくお願いいたします。
では、はじめさせていただきます。よろしくおねがいいたします。
Then, let us begin. Thank you for joining us.
Romaji: Dewa, hajimesasete itadakimasu. Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu. / Reply Romaji: Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
Reply
よろしくお願いいたします。
よろしくおねがいいたします。
Thank you, we look forward to it.
Gesture & etiquette
Stand or sit upright when opening. Make eye contact with all participants as you speak. Have the agenda visible on screen or as a handout — Japanese meetings are expected to follow a structured plan. A slight bow at the start signals respect.
The formal meeting opener used by the chairperson or facilitator. Always pair the start signal with 'yoroshiku onegai itashimasu' to acknowledge all participants. Japanese meetings typically begin with a brief purpose statement before any discussion — jumping straight into content is considered abrupt.