Formal to Client
Workplace · Phone
はじめてお電話いたします。〇〇社の〇〇と申します。このたびは〇〇の件でご連絡いたしました。 — I'm calling for the first time. My name is [Name] from [Company]. I'm contacting you today regarding [matter]. (Workplace · Phone, Formal to Client, JLPT N3)
You
はじめてお電話いたします。〇〇社の〇〇と申します。このたびは〇〇の件でご連絡いたしました。
はじめておでんわいたします。〇〇しゃの〇〇ともうします。このたびは〇〇のけんでごれんらくいたしました。
I'm calling for the first time. My name is [Name] from [Company]. I'm contacting you today regarding [matter].
Romaji: Hajimete odenwa itashimasu. OO-sha no OO to moushimasu. Konotabi wa OO no ken de gorenraku itashimashita. / Reply Romaji: Aa, sou desu ka. Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
Reply
ああ、そうですか。よろしくお願いいたします。
ああ、そうですか。よろしくおねがいいたします。
Ah, I see. Thank you for calling.
Gesture & etiquette
For a first call, stand up or sit upright — good posture supports a confident, professional voice. Have a notepad ready before dialing. Speak slightly slower than natural to ensure clarity. If you reach voicemail, leave a brief message with your name, company, phone number, and best callback time: 'Gohenraku no hodo, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu' (I look forward to hearing from you).
An outbound first call requires this three-part opening: announce it's a first call, identify yourself with company and name, and state the purpose. 'Hajimete odenwa itashimasu' (I'm calling for the first time) signals you understand this is a new connection. Stating the purpose early shows respect for the recipient's time — recipients in Japan appreciate knowing why they are being called before anything else.