Japanese Business Terms: 5 Words You Need to Know

Understanding business Japanese isn’t just about vocabulary.
Many words used in Japanese workplaces reflect how decisions are made, how people communicate, and how responsibility is shared.

In this article, you’ll learn 5 essential Japanese business terms that often confuse non-native speakers.
Each term is explained with clear meanings, romanized readings, and practical examples, so you can recognize and use them with confidence in emails and meetings.

稟議（Ringi）

Meaning:
A formal internal approval process in Japanese companies, often requiring agreement from multiple managers or departments.

When it’s used:
When requesting approval for budgets, contracts, or major decisions.

Example:
この提案ていあんは社内しゃないで稟議りんぎを通とおす必要ひつようがあります。
This proposal needs to go through the internal approval process.

Cultural insight:
Even if everyone agrees informally, decisions often cannot move forward without completing the ringi process.

認識合わせ（Ninshiki Awase）

Meaning:
Aligning understanding or expectations among people involved.

When it’s used:
At the start of projects, during meetings, or in follow-up emails to avoid misunderstandings.

Example:
着手ちゃくしゅする前まえに認識にんしき合あわせをさせてください。
I’d like to align our understanding before moving on.

Cultural insight:
This phrase is often used politely to prevent conflict later, rather than to correct someone directly.

根回し（Nemawashi）

Meaning:
Informal consensus-building done before an official decision or meeting.

When it’s used:
Before proposals, presentations, or important meetings.

Example:
彼女かのじょは関係者かんけいしゃに根回ねまわしをして合意ごういを得えていました。
She talked to everyone involved beforehand to gain agreement.

Cultural insight:
Nemawashi is seen as considerate and strategic, not secretive or dishonest.

持ち帰る（Mochikaeru）

Meaning:
“I’ll take this back and review it internally.”

When it’s used:
In meetings when an immediate answer cannot be given.

Example:
この件けんは持もち帰かえらせてください。
Let me take this back and get back to you.

Cultural insight:
This phrase often signals careful consideration rather than rejection.

差し戻し（Sashimodoshi）

Meaning:
Sending something back for revision or correction.

When it’s used:
During document reviews, approval workflows, or internal systems.

Example:
この書類しょるいは修正しゅうせいが必要ひつようなため差さし戻もどされました。
The document was sent back for revision.

Cultural insight:
A sashimodoshi is common and expected. Multiple revisions are part of normal business practice.

Final Note

Understanding these terms will help you follow what’s happening in Japanese emails and meetings.
However, knowing their meaning is only the first step.

Practicing how these expressions sound in real conversations can make a big difference in how confidently you use business Japanese.