Leading a Japanese Meeting: Setting the Agenda and Managing Turns
Learn intermediate Japanese phrases for opening a meeting, setting the agenda, assigning turns, and moving discussion forward as the leader.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
Leading a meeting in Japanese is not simply participating more. The leader controls the flow: opening the meeting, confirming the agenda, assigning speaking turns, and moving from item to item. This lesson gives you practical intermediate patterns for chairing a meeting politely and clearly. You will learn how to start with the first item, ask a specific person for their view, and move on when discussion has run its course. The focus is on leadership language, not on expressing your own opinion.
By the end, you can…
- open a meeting and state the agenda in Japanese.
- assign speaking turns and move the discussion to the next item.
- politely manage time and bring a meeting to a close.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
それでは、会議を始めます。
Well then, let's begin the meeting.
Sore de wa, kaigi o hajimemasu.
A standard, slightly formal opening used by the chair after people have gathered.
本日の議題は三点です。
Today's agenda has three items.
Honjitsu no gidai wa santen desu.
Announces the number of agenda items. 本日 is more formal than 今日 and suits chaired meetings.
まず、第一の議題から始めます。
Let's start with the first item.
Mazu, dai-ichi no gidai kara hajimemasu.
Signals the first agenda item. まず means 'first' and keeps the sequence clear.
田中さん、いかがでしょうか。
Tanaka-san, what do you think?
Tanaka-san, ikaga deshō ka.
A polite way to invite a named person's view. Softer than どう思いますか.
この件については、後ほどにしましょう。
Let's leave this matter for later.
Kono ken ni tsuite wa, nochihodo ni shimashō.
Defers a topic without rejecting it. Useful when time is short or information is missing. Note: 後ほどにしましょう is slightly redundant; 後ほどにしましょう or 後ほどしましょう are both heard, but 後ほどにしましょう is common in chaired meetings.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To move the meeting forward, combine a sequence word with a proposal: まず…から始めます (let's start with…), 次に…に移ります (next we move to…), 最後に…を確認します (finally we confirm…). For example: 次に、予算の議題に移ります。 (Next, we move to the budget item.) The polite volitional form 〜ましょう or the formal 〜ます statement both work; 〜ましょう sounds more collaborative, while 〜ます sounds more decisive. As chair, you can also assign turns with 〜さん、お願いします (Mr./Ms. …, please go ahead).
When to use it
Use these patterns when you are the chair, not when you are simply a participant. Opening with それでは、会議を始めます。 is appropriate once everyone is seated. If discussion drifts, say 少し論点を戻しましょう。 (Let's return to the point a little.) If a topic needs more time, use この件は次回に持ち越しましょう。 (Let's carry this item over to the next meeting.) Avoid blunt commands like 早く言ってください; instead, guide with お時間もありますので、簡潔にお願いします。 (We have limited time, so please keep it concise.)
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
それでは、定例会議を始めます。本日の議題は三点です。
Well then, let's begin the regular meeting. Today's agenda has three items.Sore de wa, teirei kaigi o hajimemasu. Honjitsu no gidai wa santen desu.はい、よろしくお願いします。
Yes, thank you.Hai, yoroshiku onegai shimasu.まず、第一の議題から始めます。田中さん、いかがでしょうか。
Let's start with the first item. Tanaka-san, what do you think?Mazu, dai-ichi no gidai kara hajimemasu. Tanaka-san, ikaga deshō ka.現状では、コストが課題だと思います。
As things stand, I think cost is the issue.Genjō de wa, kosuto ga kadai da to omoimasu.A little context goes a long way
Japanese meetings often value consensus and turn-taking over open debate. As chair, naming a speaker with 〜さん、いかがでしょうか gives that person a clear, polite opening and prevents silence. Avoid calling on people too abruptly; a brief pause and eye contact before naming them is common. In formal settings, use 〜様 instead of 〜さん for clients or senior external guests.
One thing to watch for
Using 会議を始めましょう as the chair's formal opening in every situation.
Try this instead: 会議を始めましょう is fine among close colleagues, but in a formal chaired meeting, それでは、会議を始めます。 is more appropriate because it sounds decisive and marks the chair's role. Use 〜ましょう when you want to sound collaborative, and 〜ます when you are clearly leading.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you open a meeting and say today's agenda has three items?
Show a sample answer
それでは、会議を始めます。本日の議題は三点です。
This combines a clear opening with the number of agenda items. 今日の議題は三つです is also acceptable in a less formal meeting.
2You want to invite Ms. Suzuki to speak. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
鈴木さん、いかがでしょうか。
This politely assigns the turn to a named person. 鈴木さん、お願いします is also valid when you simply want her to start.
3Discussion is running long and you want to defer an item. What phrase fits?
Show a sample answer
この件については、後ほどにしましょう。
This defers the topic without rejecting it. この件は次回に持ち越しましょう is another good option if the item should wait until the next meeting.
As chair, lead with sequence words and polite turn assignments: まず、次に、最後に, plus 〜さん、いかがでしょうか. Keep your own opinions brief so the meeting stays on track.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Japanese into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr