Formal to Client
Workplace · Presentation
You
本日はお忙しい中、お時間をいただきありがとうございます。〇〇についてご説明させていただきます。
ほんじつはおいそがしいなか、おじかんをいただきありがとうございます。〇〇についてごせつめいさせていただきます。
Thank you very much for making time for us today despite your busy schedule. I will now present on [topic].
Romaji: Honjitsu wa oisogashii naka, ojikan wo itadaki arigatou gozaimasu. OO ni tsuite gosetsumei sasete itadakimasu. / Reply Romaji: Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
Reply
よろしくお願いいたします。
よろしくおねがいいたします。
Thank you. We look forward to your presentation.
Gesture & etiquette
Stand straight and bow at 20-30 degrees at the opening. Maintain composed, professional posture throughout. Make measured eye contact across the audience rather than staring at notes. Speak at a slightly slower pace than natural — Japanese business audiences appreciate clarity over speed. Have printed handouts ready if applicable — providing them before or after (not during) the presentation is standard.
Opening a presentation with gratitude for the audience's time ('oisogashii naka' — despite being busy) is standard business etiquette in Japan. The humble 'sasete itadakimasu' (allow me to humbly present) signals respect and professional deference. Skip this opener and you may seem presumptuous — Japanese audiences notice its absence.