Polite to Stranger
Workplace · Email
本日はご多忙のところお時間をいただき、誠にありがとうございました。 — Thank you very much for taking the time to meet with me today despite your busy schedule. (Workplace · Email, Polite to Stranger, JLPT N3)
You
本日はご多忙のところお時間をいただき、誠にありがとうございました。
ほんじつはごたぼうのところおじかんをいただき、まことにありがとうございました。
Thank you very much for taking the time to meet with me today despite your busy schedule.
Romaji: Honjitsu wa gotabou no tokoro ojikan o itadaki, makoto ni arigatou gozaimashita. / Reply Romaji: Kochira koso, oisogashii naka oide itadaki arigatou gozaimashita.
Reply
こちらこそ、お忙しい中お越しいただきありがとうございました。
こちらこそ、おいそがしいなかおこしいただきありがとうございました。
Likewise, thank you for coming despite your busy schedule.
Gesture & etiquette
Email-only. Send same day if possible, before end of business hours. Mention 1-2 specific takeaways from the meeting to show genuine engagement, not just template politeness. Avoid asking for additional favors in the same email — separate thank-you from new requests.
Sending a thank-you email within 24 hours of a meeting is a strong Japanese business custom. 'Gotabou no tokoro' (despite your busy schedule) acknowledges the cost of their time. 'Makoto ni' (truly/sincerely) intensifies the gratitude beyond mere formality. Always send a thank-you even if the meeting was inconclusive — it preserves the relationship for future interactions.