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“Business Japanese Course for Beginners” consists of two volumes. This Vol.1 includes from Lesson 1 to Lesson 10.

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“Business Japanese Course for Beginners” consists of two volumes. This Vol.1 includes from Lesson 1 to Lesson 10.

This course is a business Japanese language educational course for the foreigners thinking about working in Japan or in local Japanese companies. In order to work in Japan, clear business Japanese is required. Through this course, you can learn the useful business Japanese which helps you to build a good relationship with Japanese co-workers. By learning proper business Japanese, it helps you to master how to achieve good communication skills when working for a Japanese company. In this beginner course, you will learn some simple business Japanese expressions and practice conversation. These teaching materials are useful for advancing your proficiency in Japanese language study, acquiring clear Japanese pronunciation, reviewing N5, N4 level Japanese as well as mastering elementary business Japanese.

This course’s teaching materials can be used for: Learners who already mastered N5,N4 level Japanese, learners who want to study business Japanese, and those taking the BJT.

Vol.1 contains the following contents.

第1課 あいさつ Greetings

第2課 さようなら Good Bye.

第3課 しばらくでした Long time no see.

第4課 わたくしは、 トム・スミスです I am Tom Smith.

第5課 あなたは学生ですか。 Are you a student?

第6課 あの人はだれですか Who is that person?

第7課 あのかたはどなたですか。 Who is that person?

第8課 わたくしの車です It is my car.

第9課 田中さんは技師でした。 Mr. Tanaka was an engineer.

第10課 田中さんはいますか Is Mr. Tanaka here?

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Be able to understand elementary business japanese
  • Be able to have a conversation with simple business japanese
  • Master clear japanese pronunciation
  • Master basic japanese phrases and expressions in business occasions

Syllabus

Business Japanese Course for Beginners (Lesson 1~10)

Learn the basic elements of Japanese pronunciation

Learn Japanese greetings

Read more

Learn expressions of farewell.
Japanese accent

Learn expressions of reunion

Be able to introduce yourself in Japanese

Be able to make interrogatory sentences and answer sentences
Learn the feature of subject omission

Learn how to make an interrogatory sentence using one of the interrogatives“だれ”.

Practice conversation

Learn a polite way to ask a question.
Learn business hierarchy in a Japanese company
Practice conversation

Learn a sentence pattern that shows possession,
Learn demonstratives.
Practice conversation.

Learn the past tense and past negative tense of “です”
Learn the conjugation of the copula “です”
Learn how to answer a negative question in Japanese
Practice conversation.

Learn how to use “います”.
Learn the conjugation of “ます-form”.
Practice the sentence pattern.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on practical business Japanese, which is essential for building relationships with Japanese coworkers and mastering communication skills in a Japanese company
Designed for learners who have already achieved N5 and N4 level proficiency, providing a pathway to advance their Japanese language skills in a business context
Provides teaching materials that can be used by those preparing for the BJT, which assesses Japanese language proficiency in a business setting
Teaches simple business Japanese expressions and provides opportunities to practice conversation, which helps learners build a solid foundation
Requires learners to have already mastered N5 and N4 level Japanese, which may exclude absolute beginners from taking this course

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Reviews summary

Business japanese basics for beginners

According to learners, this course is an excellent starting point for those with little to no prior Japanese knowledge who need to learn basic business communication. Students found the focus on fundamental greetings, self-introductions, and simple conversations very practical for immediate use in a business context. Many appreciated the clear explanations and the emphasis on correct pronunciation. However, some learners with existing N5 or N4 level knowledge found the course to be too basic and slow-paced, suggesting it is best suited for absolute beginners or those wishing for a thorough review of elementary basics before diving into business specifics. The course successfully covers its stated elementary objectives.
Covers fundamental Lesson 1-10 content.
"This course strictly covers the content from Lesson 1 to Lesson 10 as described."
"Focuses on the very foundations, including basic grammar points like です and います."
"A good review of elementary concepts before moving to more complex business Japanese."
Helps learners achieve clear Japanese pronunciation.
"The focus on Japanese accent and pronunciation was very helpful."
"I feel more confident in my pronunciation after taking this course."
"Clear guidance on how to pronounce business Japanese phrases correctly."
Focuses on essential, usable business phrases.
"I learned very useful expressions for business greetings and self-introductions."
"The course provides practical phrases that can be used immediately in simple work situations."
"Helped me master basic conversation patterns needed in a Japanese office setting."
Solid introduction for those new to business Japanese.
"Excellent course for absolute beginners who want to dip their toes into business Japanese."
"If you are completely new to Japanese, this course is a great starting point for learning basic business interactions."
"Perfect for someone with no Japanese background aiming for business basics."
May be too slow if you already know N5/N4.
"If you already know N4 level Japanese, it's a bit too basic and repetitive."
"Felt a little slow at times, covering ground I had already learned."
"Learners with prior Japanese experience might find the initial lessons redundant."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Business Japanese Course for Beginners Vol.1 with these activities:
Review Basic Japanese Grammar
Strengthen your understanding of basic Japanese grammar to prepare for the business-specific content in the course. A solid foundation in grammar will make it easier to grasp new vocabulary and sentence structures.
Browse courses on Japanese Grammar
Show steps
  • Review basic Japanese sentence structure.
  • Practice conjugating verbs and adjectives.
  • Study common Japanese particles and their usage.
Read 'Japanese for Busy People'
Supplement your learning with a well-regarded textbook that covers essential Japanese grammar and vocabulary. This will provide a broader context for the business-specific phrases and expressions taught in the course.
Show steps
  • Read the first few chapters of the book.
  • Complete the exercises in each chapter.
  • Review the vocabulary lists.
Practice Japanese Pronunciation
Improve your pronunciation of Japanese words and phrases to enhance your communication skills. Clear pronunciation is crucial for effective communication in a business setting.
Show steps
  • Listen to native Japanese speakers.
  • Record yourself speaking Japanese.
  • Compare your pronunciation to native speakers.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Business Japanese Phrasebook
Compile a personalized phrasebook of useful business Japanese expressions learned in the course. This will serve as a handy reference guide for future use.
Show steps
  • Review the lessons in the course.
  • Select the most useful phrases.
  • Organize the phrases into categories.
  • Add example sentences for each phrase.
Practice Business Japanese with a Language Partner
Engage in conversation practice with a language partner to improve fluency and confidence. Practicing with others will help you internalize the material and identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
  • Find a language partner online or in person.
  • Prepare conversation topics related to the course.
  • Take turns speaking and listening.
  • Provide feedback to each other.
Read 'A Handbook of Japanese Business Culture'
Gain a deeper understanding of Japanese business culture to complement your language skills. Cultural awareness is crucial for effective communication and building rapport in a Japanese business environment.
View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read chapters related to business communication.
  • Take notes on key cultural differences.
  • Reflect on how these differences might impact your interactions.
Write a Mock Business Email in Japanese
Practice writing a business email in Japanese to solidify your understanding of formal language and etiquette. This will help you apply your knowledge in a practical context.
Show steps
  • Choose a business scenario.
  • Draft the email in Japanese.
  • Review the email for grammar and politeness.
  • Ask a native speaker for feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Business Japanese Course for Beginners Vol.1 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
International Business Development Manager
An International Business Development Manager identifies and develops new business opportunities in international markets. This course helps build a foundation for understanding basic Japanese greetings, introductions, and conversational skills, which can be invaluable when initiating and maintaining relationships with Japanese clients or partners. This course, which focuses on mastering basic phrases and expressions, helps you navigate initial interactions effectively. By understanding the nuances of business Japanese, you can demonstrate respect and build rapport, increasing the likelihood of successful partnerships. The lessons on polite questions and business hierarchy are particularly relevant to establishing a strong presence in the Japanese market.
International Marketing Specialist
An International Marketing Specialist develops and implements marketing strategies to promote products or services in international markets. This course will help you learn basic Japanese phrases and expressions, which can assist in understanding the local market and crafting culturally relevant marketing messages. The course's emphasis on greetings helps you in initial interactions. Knowing how to introduce yourself helps you to build connections. This provides a starting point for tailoring marketing campaigns to resonate with Japanese consumers. The knowledge of Japanese business hierarchy is important to understand customer and business relations.
Project Manager
A Project Manager plans, executes, and closes projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required specifications. This course is helpful if you will be working on projects involving Japanese-speaking team members or stakeholders, because it builds a foundation in basic Japanese phrases and expressions, helpful for communicating with team members and building rapport. The course's focus on polite language helps you navigate interactions with sensitivity and respect. Knowing how to ask questions in Japanese is pertinent to gathering information. This course provides a base for effective communication and collaboration within international project teams.
International Sales Representative
An International Sales Representative promotes and sells products or services to clients in international markets. This course introduces basic Japanese greetings, self-introductions, and conversational phrases, helpful for building rapport with potential clients. Knowing how to answer questions in Japanese helps you address inquiries effectively. The course's practical conversation exercises will help you. This course provides a starting point for effective communication and relationship-building in the Japanese market. The knowledge of Japanese business hierarchy helps the sales representative better understand the customers and their needs.
Customer Service Representative
A Customer Service Representative provides support and assistance to customers, addressing inquiries, resolving issues, and ensuring customer satisfaction. This course is helpful because it builds a foundation in basic Japanese phrases and expressions used in business contexts, which are valuable for communicating with Japanese-speaking customers. The course's emphasis on clear pronunciation and polite language helps you provide courteous and effective service. The lessons on greetings and basic inquiries is pertinent to addressing customer needs and resolving problems. You can use this course to develop the language skills needed to interact positively with customers.
Japanese Translator
A Japanese Translator converts written materials from one language to Japanese, or from Japanese to another language, ensuring accuracy and cultural relevance. The course helps build a foundation in basic Japanese sentence structures, vocabulary, and grammar, which provides a starting point for understanding and translating simple texts. The emphasis on clear pronunciation helps you with translation tasks involving audio or visual materials. The basic phrases and expressions covered in the course is helpful for dealing with everyday business communications. Knowledge of business hierarchy in Japan is also helpful. While this course is introductory, it provides a necessary base for further language development.
Import/Export Specialist
An Import Export Specialist manages the process of buying and selling goods and services across international borders. This course helps build a foundation in basic Japanese phrases and expressions for business, which is useful for communicating with Japanese suppliers or customers. This helps you start and continue business partnerships. The course's emphasis on greetings helps you with initial communications, while other lessons help you engage in initial business dealings. The course provides a starting point for effective communication in international trade with Japan.
Market Research Analyst
A Market Research Analyst gathers and analyzes data to understand market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscapes. This course may be helpful for analysts focusing on the Japanese market, because it introduces basic Japanese language skills, enabling you to conduct preliminary research and understand basic communications. The course's focus on pronunciation helps you understand spoken Japanese in interviews or focus groups. Knowing polite ways to ask questions helps you gathering valuable insights. The course can be a stepping stone towards deeper engagement with the Japanese market, facilitating more effective research and analysis.
Japanese Interpreter
A Japanese Interpreter facilitates communication between individuals or groups who do not share a common language. This course may be useful because it will helps you learn elementary business Japanese, including greetings, self-introductions, and basic conversational phrases, providing a solid foundation for understanding and conveying messages accurately. The focus on clear Japanese pronunciation is essential for effective interpretation. The course's conversational practice helps you develop the fluency and confidence needed to handle real-time interpretation scenarios, particularly in business settings. The lessons on polite questions could also be helpful for navigating formal business interactions.
Human Resources Specialist
A Human Resources Specialist manages employee relations, recruitment, training, and other HR functions within an organization. The specialist is helpful because it builds a foundation in basic Japanese phrases and expressions, which is useful for communicating with Japanese-speaking employees or candidates. The course's emphasis on greetings helps with initial interactions. The HR Specialist can use this to foster positive working relationships in the workplace.
Localization Specialist
A Localization Specialist adapts products, services, and content to specific target markets, ensuring cultural and linguistic appropriateness. If you wish to become a Localization Specialist, this course may be useful because it introduces basic Japanese business language including greetings. The course's emphasis on pronunciation will help you with tasks such as voiceover work or audio-visual localization. Understanding the nuances of polite language is pertinent to adapting materials for the Japanese market. This provides you with a foundation for adapting content, software, or other materials for Japanese-speaking audiences.
Business Consultant
A Business Consultant provides expert advice and guidance to organizations to improve their performance and efficiency. This course may be useful for consultants working with Japanese companies because it introduces basic Japanese business language and etiquette. This can facilitate initial communication and help build trust. The course's emphasis on polite language and business hierarchy is pertinent to understanding Japanese business culture and practices. Understanding basic communication is the first step toward understanding your client, and helping them reach their goals.
Cross-Cultural Trainer
A Cross Cultural Trainer develops and delivers training programs to enhance understanding and communication between people from different cultures. This course is helpful because it provides a basic understanding of Japanese language and business etiquette. The course's emphasis on pronunciation and polite language offers insights into Japanese communication styles. Knowing how to introduce yourself in Japanese allows you to connect with learners and create a positive learning environment. The trainer can use this knowledge to foster greater understanding in Japanese business practices.
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer creates clear and concise documentation for technical products and services. This course is helpful because it introduces basic Japanese vocabulary and grammar, which is a foundation for understanding technical documents written in Japanese. Learning how to introduce yourself in Japanese is pertinent to collaborating with Japanese-speaking engineers or developers. This helps writers to better understand technical documents and communicate with the specialists. While further language study may be needed, this course provides a valuable starting point for engaging with technical content in Japanese.
Japanese Teacher
A Japanese Teacher instructs students in the Japanese language, culture, and customs. This course is helpful because it provides a structured introduction to basic Japanese for business, covering greetings, self-introductions, and conversational phrases. The course's emphasis on clear pronunciation and basic grammar principles helps new teachers. Knowing how to ask questions helps teachers in class. The course's elementary lessons give you a base for teaching Japanese. The knowledge of Japanese business hierarchy is also handy to better teach Japanese culture.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Business Japanese Course for Beginners Vol.1.
Provides valuable insights into Japanese business culture, etiquette, and communication styles. Understanding these cultural nuances is essential for building strong relationships with Japanese colleagues and clients. This book adds breadth to the course by providing cultural context for the language learned. It is more valuable as additional reading than as a current reference.
Widely used textbook for learning practical, everyday Japanese. It provides a solid foundation in grammar and vocabulary, making it a helpful resource for beginners. While not specifically focused on business Japanese, it provides essential building blocks for understanding the language. Consider this book as a reference text.

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