Polite to Colleague
Workplace · Reporting
You
本件、上長にもご確認いただいた方がよさそうです。
ほんけん、じょうちょうにもごかくにんいただいたほうがよさそうです。
It seems like this matter would be better reviewed by a senior manager too.
Romaji: Honken, joucho ni mo go-kakunin itadaita hou ga yosa sou desu. / Reply Romaji: Sou da ne. Watashi kara hanashite okimasu.
Reply
そうだね。私から話しておきます。
そうだね。わたしからはなしておきます。
You're right. I'll bring it up with them.
Gesture & etiquette
Bring this up privately with the colleague — not in a group meeting. Have a written summary ready of the issue that needs escalating, so the colleague can brief the senior easily.
In Japanese workplace culture, escalating appropriately (not too early, not too late) is a valued skill. Framing escalation as a collaborative suggestion (「〜した方がよさそうです」— it seems like it would be better to...) rather than a concern keeps the conversation constructive and avoids implying blame.