Situation
Our conversation unfolds in a Japanese office. Tanaka-san, an employee, meets with their manager, Yamada-buchō. Tanaka-san aims to discuss a salary review, citing recent project successes and increased responsibilities, all while skillfully navigating the intricacies of formal business communication and politeness.
Dialogue
田中: 山田部長、お時間よろしいでしょうか。
Tanaka: Yamada-buchō, o-jikan yoroshī deshō ka.
Tanaka: Manager Yamada, do you have a moment?
山田: 田中さん、どうしましたか。
Yamada: Tanaka-san, dō shimashita ka.
Yamada: Tanaka-san, what can I do for you?
田中: はい、実は少々ご相談したいことがございまして。
Tanaka: Hai, jitsu wa shōshō go-sōdan shitai koto ga gozaimashite.
Tanaka: Yes, actually, I have a small matter I'd like to discuss with you.
山田: 何でしょう。
Yamada: Nani deshō.
Yamada: What is it?
田中: 最近の業績についてなのですが、私が担当しているプロジェクトが無事に成功し、会社にも貢献できたと自負しております。
Tanaka: Saikin no gyōseki ni tsuite na no desu ga, watashi ga tantō shiteiru purojekuto ga buji ni seikō shi, kaisha ni mo kōken dekitato jifu shite orimasu.
Tanaka: Regarding my recent performance: the project I was in charge of successfully concluded, and I believe I was able to contribute significantly to the company.
山田: ええ、よく承知しておりますよ。田中さんの努力は大きな成果をもたらしましたね。
Yamada: Ee, yoku shōchi shite orimasu yo. Tanaka-san no doryoku wa ōkina seika o motarashimashita ne.
Yamada: Yes, I am well aware. Tanaka-san's efforts have indeed brought about significant results.
田中: そこで、この貢献を踏まえ、来年度の給与についてご検討いただけないかと思いまして。
Tanaka: Sokode, kono kōken o fumae, rainendo no kyūyo ni tsuite go-kentō itadakenai ka to omoimashite.
Tanaka: Therefore, considering this contribution, I was hoping you might be able to review my salary for the next fiscal year.
山田: 給与の件ですね。もちろん、あなたの働きは正当に評価されるべきだと考えています。
Yamada: Kyūyo no ken desu ne. Mochiron, anata no hataraki wa seitō ni hyōka sareru beki da to kangaete imasu.
Yamada: Regarding your salary, correct? Of course, I believe your hard work deserves proper evaluation.
田中: ありがとうございます。特に部署内での責任も増えましたので、それを反映していただければ幸甚に存じます。
Tanaka: Arigatō gozaimasu. Tokuni bushonai de no sekinin mo fuemashita node, sore o han'ei shite itadakereba kōjin ni zonjimasu.
Tanaka: Thank you very much. Given that my responsibilities within the department have specifically increased, I would be extremely grateful if that could be reflected in my compensation.
山田: 理解できます。他の同僚とのバランスや会社の全体的な方針もございますので、一度上層部とご相談させてください。
Yamada: Rikai dekimasu. Hoka no dōryō to no baransu ya kaisha no zentai-teki na hōshin mo gozaimasu node, ichido jōsōbu to go-sōdan sasete kudasai.
Yamada: I understand. However, considering the balance with other colleagues and the company's overall policies, I'll need to consult with senior management first.
田中: はい、よろしくお願いいたします。私としては、現在の給与から10%ほどの昇給を希望しております。
Tanaka: Hai, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu. Watashi to shite wa, genzai no kyūyo kara jū-pāsento hodo no shōkyū o kibō shite orimasu.
Tanaka: Yes, please do. On my part, I am hoping for a salary increase of around 10% from my current compensation.
山田: 10%ですか。承知いたしました。検討し、また後日ご連絡いたします。
Yamada: Jū-pāsento desu ka. Shōchi itashimashita. Kentō shi, mata gojitsu go-renraku itashimasu.
Yamada: 10%, you say? Understood. I will consider your request and contact you again at a later date.
田中: ありがとうございます。お忙しいところ恐縮ですが、どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
Tanaka: Arigatō gozaimasu. O-isogashī tokoro kyōshuku desu ga, dōzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
Tanaka: Thank you very much. I apologize for taking up your valuable time, but I sincerely look forward to your positive consideration.
山田: いえ、とんでもない。こちらこそ、今後も貢献を期待していますよ。
Yamada: Ie, tondemonai. Kochira koso, kongo mo kōken o kitai shite imasu yo.
Yamada: Not at all. It is I who anticipate your continued significant contributions in the future.
Key Vocabulary
時間
jikan
— time
相談
sōdan
— consultation, discussion
業績
gyōseki
— business performance, achievement
貢献
kōken
— contribution
自負
jifu
— self-confidence, pride
承知
shōchi
— knowledge, consent, understanding
努力
doryoku
— effort
成果
seika
— result, achievement
給与
kyūyo
— salary, wages
検討
kentō
— consideration
評価
hyōka
— evaluation
責任
sekinin
— responsibility
反映
han'ei
— reflection
幸甚
kōjin
— extremely grateful
昇給
shōkyū
— salary increase
Grammar Notes
- 〜ております (te orimasu): This is the humble form of 〜ている. It expresses actions or states of the speaker or someone in the speaker's group with humility and respect towards the listener. For example, 「自負しております」 (I am proud) or 「希望しております」 (I am hoping).
- 〜かと存じます / 〜かと思います (ka to zonjimasu / ka to omoimasu): These expressions soften a statement or suggestion, making it less direct and more polite. 「〜かと存じます」 is notably more formal than 「〜かと思います」. For instance, 「ご検討いただけないかと思いまして」 means "I was wondering if you could consider it."
- 〜べきだ (beki da): This structure conveys obligation or a strong recommendation, translating to "should" or "ought to." It suggests that something is proper or reasonable. For example, 「評価されるべきだと考えています」 means "I believe it should be evaluated."
- 〜ていただければ幸甚に存じます (te itadakereba kōjin ni zonjimasu): This is a highly polite and formal expression. It conveys extreme gratitude if a request is granted, essentially meaning "I would be extremely grateful if you could..." or "It would be a great pleasure if..."
- 〜とんでもない (tondemonai): This versatile expression can mean "unthinkable," "outrageous," or "not at all." In a business context, when responding to an apology or compliment, it is often used humbly to deflect or downplay the other person's concern. It's similar to saying "Don't mention it" or "Not at all" in English.
Cultural Notes
In Japanese business culture, directness, especially concerning personal benefits like salary, is typically softened or avoided. Employees often demonstrate their value through consistent hard work and contributions, trusting that their performance will be recognized naturally. When a discussion about compensation is initiated, it is usually framed indirectly. The focus tends to be on increased responsibilities, successful projects, or alignment with company growth, rather than a blunt demand for more money. Maintaining humility and showing respect for the company's hierarchy and policies are paramount.
Managers, in turn, generally do not provide immediate answers to such requests. They will frequently state that they need to "consider" (検討する) the matter or "consult with upper management" (上層部と相談する). This process ensures fairness, maintains internal balance, and adheres to company-wide guidelines. This indirect approach helps foster harmony within the workplace and allows for a comprehensive, well-thought-out response.
Practice
Suggestions for practicing this conversation:
Role-play with a partner: Take turns being 田中 (Tanaka) and 山田 (Yamada). Focus on correct intonation, polite language, and natural delivery for both roles.
Substitution Drill 1 (Contribution): Replace 田中's achievements with other examples. Try:
「新規顧客を獲得し、売上を伸ばしました」 (Shinki kokyaku o kakutoku shi, uriage o nobashimashita - acquired new customers and increased sales)
「コスト削減に成功し、利益に貢献しました」 (Kosuto sakugen ni seikō shi, rieki ni kōken shimashita - succeeded in cost reduction and contributed to profits)
「チームのリーダーとして、メンバーをまとめ上げました」 (Chīmu no rīdā to shite, menbā o matomeagemashita - as a team leader, I unified the members)
Substitution Drill 2 (Desired Outcome): Replace 田中's desired salary increase with other career aspirations. Try:
「役職の昇進をご検討いただけないかと」 (Yakushoku no shōshin o go-kentō itadakenai ka to - if you could consider a promotion in position)
「新しいプロジェクトへの参加を希望しております」 (Atarashī purojekuto e no sanka o kibō shite orimasu - I am hoping to participate in a new project)
Variation Scenario: Imagine 田中 is not asking for a raise, but rather for a transfer to a different department that offers more growth opportunities. How would the conversation with Yamada-buchō change? How would Tanaka-san phrase the request while maintaining politeness?