Polite to Colleague
Workplace · Greeting
You
ご昇進、おめでとうございます。これからもどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
ごしょうしん、おめでとうございます。これからもどうぞよろしくおねがいいたします。
Congratulations on your promotion. I very much look forward to continuing to work with you.
Romaji: Go-shoushin, omedetou gozaimasu. Korekara mo douzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu. / Reply Romaji: Arigatou gozaimasu. Kochira koso, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
Reply
ありがとうございます。こちらこそ、よろしくお願いいたします。
ありがとうございます。こちらこそ、よろしくおねがいいたします。
Thank you. Likewise, I look forward to it.
Gesture & etiquette
A warm bow of about 15-20 degrees. If senior to the newly promoted person, a brief handshake may be added in some modern workplaces. Keep the interaction brief and private — many Japanese are modest about promotions and may feel awkward with prolonged attention.
In Japanese companies, promotions are often announced quietly — not publicly celebrated in Western style. A private, sincere congratulation is more appropriate than a big announcement. 「これからも」(even from now on) signals continuity of the relationship, which is warmly received.