Formal to Superior
Workplace · Greeting
You
ご昇進、誠におめでとうございます。今後ますますのご活躍をお祈りしております。
ごしょうしん、まことにおめでとうございます。こんごますますのごかつやくをおいのりしております。
Sincere congratulations on your promotion. I wish you even greater success going forward.
Romaji: Go-shōshin, makoto ni omedetō gozaimasu. Kongo masumasu no go-katsuyaku wo o-inori shite orimasu. / Reply Romaji: Arigatō gozaimasu. Kongo tomo yoroshiku onegai shimasu.
Reply
ありがとうございます。今後ともよろしくお願いします。
ありがとうございます。こんごともよろしくおねがいします。
Thank you. I look forward to continuing to work with you.
Gesture & etiquette
Bow at 20-30 degrees depending on the relationship. A warm, genuine smile enhances the formality. If appropriate for the relationship, a brief handshake may accompany the congratulations in more international workplace settings.
ますますのご活躍' (ever-growing success and activity) is the standard wish for a promoted colleague. This full phrase is used in formal contexts; in informal workplace settings a warmer 'おめでとうございます！' with a genuine smile is equally valued. Consider writing a congratulatory message in a card for a close colleague.