Formal to Client
Workplace · Email
新年明けましておめでとうございます。旧年中は格別のお引き立てを賜り、誠にありがとうございました。 — Happy New Year. Thank you sincerely for your exceptional patronage during the past year. (Workplace · Email, Formal to Client, JLPT N3)
You
新年明けましておめでとうございます。旧年中は格別のお引き立てを賜り、誠にありがとうございました。
しんねんあけましておめでとうございます。きゅうねんちゅうはかくべつのおひきたてをたまわり、まことにありがとうございました。
Happy New Year. Thank you sincerely for your exceptional patronage during the past year.
Romaji: Shinnen akemashite omedetou gozaimasu. Kyuunen-chuu wa kakubetsu no ohikitate o tamawari, makoto ni arigatou gozaimashita. / Reply Romaji: Kochira koso, honnen mo douzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
Reply
こちらこそ、本年もどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
こちらこそ、ほんねんもどうぞよろしくおねがいいたします。
Likewise, please continue to work with us this year as well.
Gesture & etiquette
Email-only. Send to all key business contacts within the first week of January. Subject line typically: '【新年のご挨拶】◯◯株式会社 田中'. Include a brief outlook for the year or new initiatives if relevant. Keep tone warm but professional.
Business New Year emails are sent in early January, typically January 4th-7th (the first business days). 'Kyuunen-chuu' (during the past year) is more formal than 'sakunen' (last year). 'Kakubetsu no ohikitate' (exceptional patronage) acknowledges the business relationship. 'Tamawari' (received from above, humble) is N1-level vocabulary. Follow with a 'honnen mo yoroshiku' (this year as well) commitment.