Universal
Cultural · Seasonal
You
新年あけましておめでとうございます。本年もどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
しんねんあけましておめでとうございます。ほんねんもどうぞよろしくおねがいいたします。
Happy New Year! I look forward to our continued relationship this year as well.
Romaji: Shinnen akemashite omedetou gozaimasu. Honnen mo douzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu. / Reply Romaji: Omedetou gozaimasu. Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shimasu.
Reply
おめでとうございます。今年もよろしくお願いします。
おめでとうございます。ことしもよろしくおねがいします。
Happy New Year to you too. Looking forward to another great year together.
Gesture & etiquette
Bow as you exchange the greeting — the depth matches your relationship (15° casual, 30° formal). In workplaces, the New Year greeting is often said in a group at the morning assembly on the first day back. Cards (nengajou) are traditionally sent to arrive exactly on January 1st — sending them the week before via post is standard practice.
New Year is the most important social occasion in Japan. This full greeting is used in person or in formal messages through January 7th — after that, switch to 'kotoshi mo yoroshiku'. Never say 'akemashite omedetou' to someone who has recently lost a family member, as it is inappropriate to celebrate during mourning.