Formal to Superior
Workplace · Greeting
You
長い間お世話になりました。皆様に心より感謝申し上げます。
ながいあいだおせわになりました。みなさまにこころよりかんしゃもうしあげます。
Thank you for all your support over these years. I sincerely express my deepest gratitude to everyone.
Romaji: Nagai aida osewa ni narimashita. Minasama ni kokoro yori kansha mōshiagemasu. / Reply Romaji: Kochira koso, arigatō gozaimashita. Ogenki de.
Reply
こちらこそ、ありがとうございました。お元気で。
こちらこそ、ありがとうございました。おげんきで。
Thank you as well, for everything. Take good care of yourself.
Gesture & etiquette
Bow deeply (45 degrees or more) at the closing words; hold it for a full beat; raise your head to make warm eye contact around the room before stepping away; genuine emotion here is respected, not embarrassing.
心より感謝申し上げます' is the highest register of gratitude in Japanese — reserved for deeply meaningful occasions. This phrase is used when leaving a company or retiring. Keep the farewell speech to 2–3 minutes maximum; always include a specific memory or person you are grateful for — generic speeches are quickly forgotten.