“Good prose is like a windowpane.” – George Orwell

As Japan becomes more engaged in global business and tourism, companies are increasingly expecting foreign partners and managers to conduct business in Japanese. This includes negotiating, writing formal correspondence, and navigating the subtle communication norms embedded in Japanese workplace culture. Real Gaijin recently spoke with Shohei Yoshida, founder of BizNihongo. He has dedicated his career to helping international professionals become more confident using Japanese in real business settings. Shohei currently coaches professionals who want to move beyond textbook Japanese and master workplace language skills, including honorific language like keigo, industry-specific vocabulary, and cultural nuances.

In this short clip, Shohei explains how in a Japanese business setting, effective communication requires calibrating the level of formality while maintaining clarity. Using overly casual language can signal disrespect or a lack of professionalism, while excessively formal or ornate phrasing can obscure meaning and slow down the decision-making process. The objective is to use appropriate keigo to reflect hierarchy and context while structuring sentences in a concise, direct, and easy-to-process manner. Skilled communicators prioritize intelligibility by choosing familiar vocabulary, avoiding unnecessary ambiguity, and confirming understanding, all while adhering to the social expectations embedded in formal speech. This balance conveys respect without compromising efficiency or precision.

Click the link below to listen to our 40-minute discussion (in English this time).