The most important thing in your Japanese presentation is to show respect to your audience. For this, you need to use some polite business expressions in your introduction. Although, bear in mind that nobody knows them perfectly, and even native speakers often make a mistake.
Main principles of giving the presentation in Japan are same as everywhere:
- Attract audience
and
- Explain clearly.
In Japan, as well as all over the world, attracting and capturing audience’s attention is the most important part — it is said that the impression your audience gets of you is determined within first 5 minutes of your presentation. In this article we would like to show you some useful Japanese expressions, which will help you to make an introduction that will be both attractive and polite.
How can I start presentation in Japanese?
What you need to remember in the first place is to always do your presentation in “keigo (敬語)”, respectful style. Other rules are same as everywhere: look at the audience, be confident, speak loud and clear.
The most preferred form of presentation in Japan is one done in PowerPoint. You can also prepare some handouts or audio aids depending on the situation.
To show your confidence, try to walk around the room and talk to your audience about something on the subject – it will attract people, which, as we said before, it the most important thing (as most of the presentations or meetings are boring and people easily get inattentive).
For the introduction you also need some business expressions that will help show respect. Here they are.
Gratitude
As known globally, in the Japanese culture politeness is especially important. Introduction therefore should begin with the words of gratitude.
本日はお忙しいところお集りいただきまして、とてもうれしく思います（ほんじつはおいそがしいところおあつまりいただきまして、とてもうれしくおもいます）。
Thank you for coming today despite your business.
今日は寒い中お集りいただけましたこと、心より感謝申し上げます（きょうはさむいなかおあつまりいただけましたこと、こころよりかんしゃもうしあげます）。
I really appreciate your coming, even though today is a harsh cold day.
If you are giving an internal presentation for your colleagues, since they are not “coming” to your office, the following expression would be more suitable – as long as you are working in the same place:
本日はお忙しいところお時間いただき、ありがとうございます（ほんじつはおいそがしいところおじかんいただき、ありがとうございます）。
Thank you for coming despite your other duties.
Also, please remember that the Japanese don’t use phrases like “ladies and gentleman” – they are only acceptable in a specific situation.
Self-introduction
After you welcome the audience and show respect, you need to introduce yourself – it is the next way of showing politeness.
本日司会を務めさせていただきます、〇〇と申します(ほんじつしかいをつとめさせていただきます、〇〇ともうします)。どうぞ、よろしくお願いいたします（どうぞ、よろしくおねがいいたします）。
My name is 〇〇, I will be the speaker today. Thank you for your attention in advance.
本日XXについてプレゼンをおこなわさせていただきます、〇〇と申します（ほんじつXXについてプレゼンをおこなわさせていただきます、〇〇ともうします）。なにとぞよろしくお願いいたします。
My name is 〇〇, I will make a presentation on XX. Thank you for your attention in advance.
If you are talking to the employees of the Japanese company, we would also recommend to emphasize your nationality to capture their attention – however, it strongly depends on the situation.
Outline
You also need to introduce the structure of your presentation – and here are some phrases you can use.
まず、簡単にですが、本日のプレゼンの構成について説明したいと思います（まず、かんたんにですが、ほんじつのプレゼンのこうせいについてせつめいしたいとおもいます）。
First, I would like to outline the structure of my presentation.
さきに分かりやすいよう、簡単にプレゼン内容についてまとめさせていただきます（さきにわかりやすいよう、かんたんにプレゼンないようについてまとめさせていただきます）。
For better understanding I will briefly explain the contents of my presentation.
まず、〇〇についてふれ、続いてXXの背景について述べ。最後に、今後の事業展開などを図でもって報告させていただきます（まず、〇〇についてふれ、つづいて××のはいけいについてのべ、さいごに、こんごのじぎょうてんかいなどをずでもってほうこくさせていただきます）。
I will start with explaining 〇〇, then I will provide you some background on XX, and finally I will conclude with the plan for our future’s business using visual aids.
Now, when you have learned useful expressions for starting a presentation in Japanese, just make sure you are confident and polite – and your presentation for sure will be successful. You can find structural tips and example about how to make presentation in Japanese in this article.
