End-of-the-year greetings and manners

WORK’IN JAPAN

05.12.2022

As the year is slowly ending, perhaps your workplace is becoming busy preparing for the New Years’ holidays, also known as Oshogatsu (お正月). The holidays span from December 29th to January 3rd, and depending on the year, if it hits the weekends just right, it can be a ten-day holiday!

Here are some greetings and phrases one would say during this time of year to colleagues, clients, and friends. As needed, adjust the formality depending on your relationship with the person. Make sure to bow at the end of the phrase. It’s not uncommon for the other person to reciprocate with the same phrase.

End of the year

You can say the following phrases from mid to late December when you last see your colleagues, clients, or friends.

Thank you for everything this past year (formal)

今年も色々お世話になりました (kotoshimo iroiro osewani narimashita)

Thank you for all your support this past year (formal)

一年間大変お世話になりました (ichinenkan taihen osewani narimashita)

Looking forward to working with you again next year (formal)

来年も一緒にお仕事をさせていただけるのを楽しみにしております(rainenmo issho ni oshigoto o sasete itadakeruno o tanoshimi ni shite orimasu)

I appreciate your continued support for next year (formal)

Rainenmo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu (来年もよろしくお願いいたします)

I wish you a Happy New Year (formal)

Yoi otoshi wo omukae kudasai (よいお年をお迎えください)

Yoi otoshi wo osugoshi kudasai (よいお年をお過ごしください)

I wish you a Happy New Year (casual)

Yoi otoshi wo! (よいお年を！)

Beginning of the year

You can say the following phrases from January 1st to the 7th when the New Year period ends.

Happy New Year. Thank you for all your support for this year in advance (formal)

明けましておめでとうございます。今年もよろしくお願いいたします。(Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu. Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.)

Happy New Year. Thank you for all your support for this year in advance (casual)

明けましておめでとう。今年もよろしく。(Akemashite omedetou. Kotoshi mo yoroshiku.)

I wish you all the best for the new year (formal)

謹んで新年のお喜びを申し上げます (Tsutsushinde shinnen no oyorokobi o moushiagemasu)

You may see these phrases written on New Years postcards (nengajyo 年賀状), posters, and decorations, but they are only written and not used as greetings.