Formal to Client
Workplace · Email
いつもお世話になっております。 — Thank you for your continued support / business. (Workplace · Email, Formal to Client, JLPT N3)
You
いつもお世話になっております。
いつもおせわになっております。
Thank you for your continued support / business.
Romaji: Itsumo o-sewa ni natte orimasu. / Reply Romaji: Kochira koso, o-sewa ni natte orimasu.
Reply
こちらこそ、お世話になっております。
こちらこそ、おせわになっております。
Likewise, thank you for your continued support.
Gesture & etiquette
This is an email phrase — no physical gesture. However, the underlying spirit is one of deep, ongoing gratitude. Even in face-to-face meetings, beginning a conversation with 'いつもお世話になっております' followed by a bow is standard protocol.
This phrase opens virtually every business email in Japan — omitting it makes emails feel cold or rude. Its literal meaning ('Thank you for always taking care of me') expresses gratitude for the ongoing relationship. Use it even in first emails once you've been introduced.