Formal to Superior
Workplace · Reporting
申し訳ございませんが、当初の期日通りに完了できない可能性が出てまいりました。 — I sincerely apologize, but the possibility has emerged that we may not be able to complete this by the original deadline. (Workplace · Reporting, Formal to Superior, JLPT N3)
You
申し訳ございませんが、当初の期日通りに完了できない可能性が出てまいりました。
もうしわけございませんが、とうしょのきじつどおりにかんりょうできないかのうせいがでてまいりました。
I sincerely apologize, but the possibility has emerged that we may not be able to complete this by the original deadline.
Romaji: Moushiwake gozaimasen ga, tousho no kijitsu doori ni kanryou dekinai kanousei ga dete mairimashita. / Reply Romaji: Wakatta. Genin to saiu no taisaku wo oshiete.
Reply
わかった。原因と対策を教えて。
わかった。げんいんとたいさくをおしえて。
I see. Tell me the cause and what you plan to do about it.
Gesture & etiquette
Report this in person or by phone, not only by email — the gravity of the situation requires direct human communication. Come prepared with three things: the cause of the delay, a new realistic timeline, and what you need from your superior to resolve it. Do not arrive with just the problem and no proposed solution.
The phrase 'kanousei ga dete mairimashita' (the possibility has emerged) is a crucial professional formula for signaling a potential deadline miss before it becomes a confirmed failure. Early warning is strongly valued in Japanese business — discovering a problem and immediately escalating it is considered responsible; hiding it until the deadline is considered a serious breach of trust.