At this time of year, I often get questions from business partners abroad about Japanese holiday greetings: “What are they?” “How should I say them?”
The thing is, it can be a bit tricky in the world of business—it’s not as simple as just saying “Happy New Year” like in English.
If you are planning to send, or already sent a Christmas card to your Japanese client, don’t be alarmed by the title. Yes, from my experience, they would love to receive it. If you’re looking to stand out a bit or want to understand and blend into Japanese business culture, this article is for you.
In this guide, we will give you an idea about how Japanese companies handle greetings in holiday seasons, so the knowlegde will help you communicate with them more smoothly.
Let’s get started.
Christmas or New Year, Which is More Important in Japan?
First of all, Christmas and New Year’s celebrations in Japan are quite distinct from those in Western cultures, both in terms of meaning and traditions.
Christmas in Japan is less of a religious event and more of a secular celebration, centered around seasonal illuminations and gift shopping. Children look forward to receiving gifts from Santa Claus, while couples often exchange presents.
On the other hand, New Year’s (“oshougatsu”)is probably the most significant holiday in Japan, akin to how Christmas is celebrated in Western countries. It is a time for family gatherings, reflecting on the past year, and making resolutions for the new one.
Special New Year’s food called “osechi” is prepared, often consisting of colorful dishes that have symbolic meanings for prosperity, health, and happiness. Many people would visit shrines or temples to pray for good fortune. Customs like sending New Year’s cards (“nengajo”) and decorating homes with “kadomatsu” are also part of the tradition.
It’s also important to note that Japan’s New Year is based on the Gregorian calendar, celebrated on January 1st. The Chinese New Year, which follows the lunar calendar and falls later. While the Chinese New Year is often accompanied with the festive sound of drums, cymbals and firecrackers, Japanese New Year is much quieter and more solemn.
How Japanese Companies Welcomes the New Year
So, how do Japanese businesses prepare for and celebrate the New Year? Knowing the answer will help you understand what is expected in terms of business etiquette.
Preparation for New Year (December)
December is traditionally considered the busiest time of year for any business. Most people will start adjusting their schedules for the New Years holiday around the end of November.
For the business person, this time of year is also known as the “bounen-kai” season. There will be many formal and informal gatherings in the evening, mostly including dinner and drinking.The focus would be about showing gratitude to one another for year’s work.
Though Japanese may be known for hard-working, last working week is about not leaving unfinished business over the year and their holidays not disturbed. Typically, everyone would do detailed cleaning around their desks, computers and lockers. So that the New Year would start fresh, without any dust.
Though the Japanese are known for being hard-working, the last work week of the year is focused on wrapping up any unfinished business and ensuring their holidays are undisturbed.
For most companies, the last business day of the year (called “shigoto osame“) is usually around December 28 (for year 2024, it will be Friday, December 27). On this day, it’s common for everyone to thoroughly clean their workspace, desks, computers, and lockers, so they can start the New Year fresh, without any dust.
After Welcoming New Years (January)
Almost all businesses will be closed on December 31 (New Year’s Eve, called “Omisoka”) and New Year’s day. Though it will not be a public holiday, 3 days after the New Year are non-working holidays for most companies.
Sectors tied to essential functions or high demand (like retail, and transportation) will remain open, while those with more structured operations (banks, stock market, factories) typically close for the holidays.
People will start coming back to the office around January 5 or 7. This is called “shigoto hajime“. What you will see on the first day of work in a Japanese company is people going around the desks greeting each other. Some companies have large gatherings of all staff to deliver messages, from the CEO.
5 Ways to Send Your Holiday Greetings in Japan
If you’re working with a Japanese client or partner, it’s wise to send greetings before the year ends and after the new year begins. Here are some options:
- Visiting Them
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This is a somewhat formal option. You will need to make an appointment and prepare some gifts. Company calendar is common but requires a bit of budget and preparation. The meeting usually lasts about 10 minutes. For the greeting at the end of year, keep in mind that December can be a busy time, depending on the industry.
- Sending an Email
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A versatile option that works well for both formal and personal greetings.
- Making a Call
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A good option if language (English or Japanese) isn’t a barrier in your communication.
I have not heard anyone specifically doing a video conference for this purpose, but if all the meeting participants knows that it will be the last meeting of the year, good idea to give few words.
- Sending a Postcard (“nengajo“)
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This is a traditional Japanese style of New Year’s greeting. Aside from designing them, preparation includes listing the company’s postal addressess, and posting them before December 24. Many companies have shifted to sending emails instead.
When to Send Your Greetings & What to Say
For the end of year, it’s recommended to send your greetings about a week in advance, or at least 3 days before the last business day. For most companies, the last business day of the year is December 28. So, right after Christmas would be the best timing.
At this time, what you say should focus on appreciation for the year. You will use phrase like, “honnen mo taihen osewani narimashita”.
After the New Year, the greeting is best if it’s done within the period called “matsu no uchi” which is 7th of January. Still acceptable up to January 15th, but later than that would be somewhat “delayed”.
Only after the date turned January 1, you should say “akemashite omedetougozaimasu(meaning, Happy New Year)”. Naturally, you would add “honnen mo douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu(which can be literally translated to “I look forward to your continued support this year as well”)”.
Sample Email Structure for Greetings At the End of Year
If you’re writing holiday greetings, here’s a general structure for your message. Keep it simple and concise, but it’s a good idea to add a personal touch.
- A greeting for the end of the year
- Appreciation for working together throughout the year
- Notice of the company’s last business day and holiday period
- A closing remark, wishing a happy new year
Furthermore, if you are writing in Japanese, it’s best to have a native speaker proofread it thoroughly. Certain words and expressions, known as ‘imikotoba‘ (taboo words), are considered inappropriate in specific contexts due to their negative connotations.
Also, when sending year-end greetings, avoid introducing new tasks or agendas. If necessary, send them in a separate message or wait until after the New Year. Introducing them now wouldn’t be considered rude, but it might be seen as going against business etiquette.
Final Thought
There is a famous proverb in Japan called “Ichinen no kei wa gantan ni ari” meaning “New Year’s Day is the key of the year”. Just as punctuality for meetings is important (sometimes more than the content itself), Japanese business often places a high value on being well-prepared and having a good start.
In today’s globalized world, most Japanese people, especially those you’re doing business with, won’t mind if you follow your own traditions. But by understanding and aligning with their local values and expectations, you can communicate more smoothly and keep things moving faster in the coming year.