How to Use “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu” (よろしくお願いします) in Business Emails & Meetings
More than “thank you in advance,” it conveys respect, gratitude, and a willingness to work together.
Learn how to use yoroshiku onegaishimasu naturally and professionally in business emails and meetings. This guide explains the meaning, politeness levels, and practical examples used by Japanese professionals.
Updated: October 23, 2025
Quick Definition
よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegaishimasu) is a key Japanese business phrase used when requesting someone’s cooperation. It expresses respect, gratitude, and a willingness to work together smoothly.
- Used with: Clients, colleagues, and business partners
- Meaning: “Thank you in advance” / “I appreciate your help.”
- Used when: Making a request, starting a collaboration, or politely closing a business email or meeting
1. How to Use It Naturally
よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegaishimasu) is commonly used in Japanese business communication when you ask for someone’s help or cooperation. It expresses respect and appreciation, helping you maintain a polite and collaborative tone. The following examples show how professionals use it naturally in workplace meetings and emails.
Where it is used
- At the beginning of a business relationship such as meeting a client or starting a project
- When making a request like checking a document or arranging schedules
- When closing communication politely at the end of meetings or business emails
- In formal or public communication including surveys and official announcements
In-person conversation
In spoken Japanese, state your request first and end with “よろしくお願いします” or a more formal version. This softens the tone and shows appreciation for the other person’s time and effort.
A) Starting a meeting
「本日本題に入る前に、配布資料のご確認をお願いします。
どうぞよろしくお願いします。」
Before we begin, please take a moment to review the handout. We appreciate your cooperation.
B) Asking for a small task during a meeting
「この部分は来週火曜までに修正できますか。
よろしくお願いします。」
Could we update this part by next Tuesday? Thank you for your help.
C) Closing a meeting or handing over a task
「では、このタスクは営業チームに引き継ぎます。
これからもどうぞよろしくお願いします。」
We will hand this task over to the Sales team. We look forward to continuing our cooperation.
Email examples
In emails, it softens your request and keeps communication polite. Place it at the end of the message, before your name (not in the signature).
Email 1: First-time contact (formal self-introduction)
? Subject idea: 新クラウド管理ツールのご案内
ABC株式会社
ご担当者様
初めてご連絡させていただきます。
私、D株式会社の山田太郎と申します。
弊社は、業務効率化やデータ分析を支援するITソリューションを企画・開発し、ご提案しております。
この度、新しいクラウド管理ツールのリリースに伴い、案内を差し上げたくご連絡いたしました。
現在、期間限定で、導入サポート費用を30％オフでご案内しております。
詳細を記載した資料を添付いたしましたので、ご覧いただけますと幸いです。
ご質問やご不明点などございましたら、どうぞお気軽にお問い合わせくださいませ。
何卒よろしくお願いいたします。
D株式会社
広報部 山田 太郎
〒100-0001 東京都千代田区1-1-1
TEL：03-1234-5678（代表）
E-mail：
Web：https://www.example.com
Translation (English version for reference)
ABC Corporation
To Whom It May Concern
I hope this email finds you well. My name is Taro Yamada from D Corporation.
Our company plans, develops, and provides IT solutions that support business efficiency and data analysis.
We are reaching out to share information about our newly released cloud management tool.
Currently, for a limited time, we are offering a 30% discount on implementation support fees.
Please find the attached document for details.
If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to contact us.
Best regards,
Taro Yamada
Public Relations Department, D Corporation
1-1-1 Chiyoda, Tokyo 100-0001
TEL: +81-3-1234-5678
E-mail:
Web: https://www.example.com
The following examples show only partial email excerpts to illustrate tone and usage. For full email versions, see the examples above.
Email 2: Ongoing relationship (standard)
Subject idea: 見積書の送付
いつもお世話になっております。ABC株式会社の山田です。
見積書を添付にてお送りいたします。
ご確認のほど、よろしくお願いいたします。
Thank you for your continued support. Please find the attached quotation for your review. We appreciate your attention.
Email 3: Formal (announcements / survey)
Subject idea: アンケートご協力のお願い（新機能トライアル）
平素より格別のご愛顧を賜り、誠にありがとうございます。
新機能の試用にあたり、短時間のアンケートにご協力いただけますと幸いです。
何卒よろしくお願いいたします。
Thank you for your continued support. As we trial a new feature, we would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes for a short survey. We sincerely appreciate your cooperation.
2. Politeness Levels
The phrase can change slightly depending on the level of formality. This table shows the most common forms and when to use them.
| Phrase | Formality | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| よろしくお願いします or よろしくお願いいたします |
⭐ | Standard polite form. Use it in most business situations. The “いたします” version is slightly more polite and common in emails. |
| どうぞよろしくお願いします or どうぞよろしくお願いいたします |
⭐⭐ | A bit more polite or friendly. Common at the end of first-time emails or meetings. |
| これからもよろしくお願いします or これからもよろしくお願いいたします |
⭐⭐ | When you expect to continue working together, such as after a project kickoff. |
| 何卒よろしくお願いいたします | ⭐⭐⭐ | Very formal. Use in official announcements or formal business letters. Used less frequently in everyday business communication. |
Tip:
- The more stars (⭐), the more formal the phrase sounds. “どうぞ” softens the tone, while “何卒” raises the level of formality. ⭐⭐ expressions are common in everyday business emails, while ⭐⭐⭐ expressions are reserved for very formal situations.
3. Common Mistakes (and Fixes)
Here are some common mistakes learners make with yoroshiku onegaishimasu and how to use it correctly in Japanese business emails and workplace conversations.
| Mistake | Why it’s wrong | Better option |
|---|---|---|
| Using it without stating a clear request first. | It can feel empty if you don’t state what you’re asking for first. | State your request → then say よろしくお願いします.
Example:
ご確認をお願いいたします。 よろしくお願いします。 |
| Saying “yoroshiku ne” in business. | Too casual for business emails, meetings, or formal communication. | Use よろしくお願いします or どうぞよろしくお願いいたします.
Example (email):
お手数ですがご対応のほど、どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。 |
| Translating it as “Best regards.” | In Japanese, it’s part of the message (a request/closing), not just a signature line. |
Example (in a business email):
どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。 D株式 会社 山田 |
Remember: say what you are asking for before adding yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
4. The Psychology Behind the Phrase
よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegaishimasu) reflects a core idea in Japanese communication: success comes through cooperation. Instead of focusing only on the task, it acknowledges the relationship itself and the effort others will make. By expressing respect and appreciation at the same time, the phrase builds trust and helps work move forward smoothly.
5. Key Takeaways
- よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegaishimasu) politely asks for cooperation while showing respect for the other person’s effort.
- In business emails, the polite form “よろしくお願いいたします” is the safest and most commonly used expression.
6. Useful Phrases By Situation
Here are common variations of 「よろしくお願いします」 used in business communication, with their tone and typical usage.
| Phrase | Tone | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| よろしくお願いします | Polite | Standard for most business emails and meetings. |
| よろしくお願いいたします | More polite / Humble | Best option in formal business emails. |
| どうぞよろしくお願いいたします | Soft / Friendly | Common at the end of first-time emails or meetings. |
| お手数ですが、よろしくお願いいたします | Polite + Apologetic | When asking for work, checking documents, or any task that takes effort. |
| ご確認のほどよろしくお願いいたします | Professional | Used when requesting review or confirmation in emails. |
| ご対応のほどよろしくお願いいたします | Professional | Asking the other side to handle a matter or take action. |
| 何卒よろしくお願いいたします | Very formal | Official announcements and high-level requests. |
All expressions above are typically used at the end of business messages.
7. Mini Quiz
Q1. Which closing is most natural for a business email requesting confirmation?
- ご確認ください。よろしく。
- ご確認のほど、よろしくお願いいたします。
- よろしくお願いします。ご確認ください。
Show Answer
Answer: ② ご確認のほど、よろしくお願いいたします。
Reason: It states the request first and then closes with yoroshiku onegai itashimasu, matching the recommended flow (request → short reason if needed → closing). ① is too casual; ③ reverses the order and reads awkwardly.
Q2. You are writing a polite request email to a client. Which closing sounds most natural?
- ご協力をどうも。よろしくね。
- ご協力いただけますと幸いです。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
- 至急でお願いします！よろしくお願いします。
Show Answer
Answer: ② ご協力いただけますと幸いです。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
Reason: It uses a soft, professional request and the polite form “dōzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.” Options ① and ③ are too casual for client-facing business emails.
Q3. Your client replies “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.” What’s the best way to respond?
- こちらこそよろしくお願いいたします。
- 了解しました。以上。
- よろしくね。
Show Answer
Answer: ① こちらこそよろしくお願いいたします。
Reason: It mirrors the same polite tone as the client’s message. ② sounds curt; ③ is too casual for business.
8. FAQ
Can I use 「よろしくお願いします」 (yoroshiku onegaishimasu) in my first email to a client?
Yes, if you are making a request or starting cooperation. In business emails, the more polite form 「よろしくお願いいたします」 sounds more professional.
How should I reply when someone says 「よろしくお願いします」 to me?
「こちらこそよろしくお願いいたします」 is polite and matches their tone.
Should I put 「よろしくお願いいたします」 in the signature?
No. Place it at the end of the message, before your name.
Is 「よろしくね」 (yoroshiku ne) okay in business?
No. It is too casual. Use 「よろしくお願いします」 or the more polite 「よろしくお願いいたします」.
How should I choose between 「よろしくお願いします」, 「どうぞよろしくお願いします」, and 「よろしくよろしくお願いいたします」 in business emails?
Use them based on the situation:
- 「どうぞよろしくお願いします」 Soft and friendly for first-time emails.
- 「よろしくお願いします」 Standard for general business communication.
- 「よろしくお願いいたします」 The most professional choice for formal requests or when writing to clients.
Next steps: practice in Business Japanese courses
Want to sound more natural when making requests? Practice yoroshiku onegaishimasu and other polite expressions used in real workplace communication with our Business Japanese teachers.
ISHIBASHI Kaori
Business Japanese A｜Workplace Conversation, Polite Requests, and Essential Keigo (B1–C1)
Helps learners practice polite ways to make requests, confirm information, and close messages smoothly using expressions like yoroshiku onegaishimasu and go-kakunin no hodo.
YAMAMOTO Hiroshi
Business Japanese B｜Professional Keigo, Writing Techniques, and Natural Business Requests (B2–C1)
Focuses on advanced keigo and phrasing for requests, follow-ups, and polite refusals in professional emails and meetings.
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Written by Chiho Kamioka Founder
Since founding Japonin (JOI) in 2006, I have focused on helping learners worldwide build confidence in Japanese.
With nearly 20 years of online teaching experience, I enjoy showing how small expressions build cooperation and mutual respect in business communication.