12 min read

Japanese Sales Call Phrases and Script

Japanese sales call phrases for introductions, permission, discovery, value, objections, appointment setting, follow-up and compliant consumer phone solicitation.

A respectful Japanese sales-call opening is 〇〇社の〇〇と申します。今、2分ほどよろしいでしょうか — “I am [name] from [company]. May I have about two minutes?”

Do not hide the commercial purpose. For consumer telephone solicitation, Japanese rules can require specific disclosure and prohibit continued solicitation after refusal.

Key takeaways

  • Research the account and reason for contact.
  • Identify company, caller, offering and sales purpose clearly.
  • Ask permission before the pitch.
  • Use discovery questions before presenting features.
  • Quantify value with verifiable evidence.
  • Stop when a covered consumer refuses solicitation.
  • Set a small next step with two time choices.
  • Send an accurate written recap.

In this guide: vocabulary | opening | discovery | value | objections | appointment | scripts | compliance

Essential sales call vocabulary

Japanese Reading Meaning
営業電話 eigyou denwa sales call
ご提案 goteian proposal
ご案内 goannai information/introduction
課題 kadai problem/challenge
現状 genjou current state
導入 dounyuu implementation/adoption
効果 kouka effect/result
費用 hiyou cost
決裁者 kessaisha decision-maker
検討 kentou consideration/evaluation
資料 shiryou materials
お断り okotowari refusal/decline
再連絡 sair enraku follow-up contact
商談 shoudan business discussion
次のステップ tsugi no suteppu next step

Correct pronunciation: sairenraku.

Before the call

Prepare:

  • Company and contact name.
  • Why the offer is relevant now.
  • One proof point.
  • Three discovery questions.
  • A two-sentence value statement.
  • Two meeting times.
  • Opt-out and compliance process.

Tokyo's business guidance says cold calls are generally ineffective in Japan and trusted introductions help. Lead with a referral when truthful:

〇〇様のご紹介で、お電話しました。
[Person]-sama no goshoukai de, odenwa shimashita.

Never invent an introduction.

Opening the call

Reception:

お世話になっております。〇〇社の〇〇と申します。△△部の [name] 様はいらっしゃいますか。

When connected:

突然のお電話で失礼いたします。〇〇社の〇〇と申します。[service] のご案内でお電話しました。今、2分ほどよろしいでしょうか。

If busy:

承知しました。ご都合のよい時間に改めてもよろしいでしょうか。
Shouchi shimashita. Gotsugou no yoi jikan ni aratamete mo yoroshii deshou ka.

If wrong person:

この件のご担当部署を教えていただけますか。
Kono ken no gotantou busho o oshiete itadakemasu ka.

Respect reception staff and do not misrepresent an existing relationship.

Discovery questions

Permission:

状況を理解するため、三点だけ伺ってもよろしいですか。
Joukyou o rikai suru tame, santen dake ukagatte mo yoroshii desu ka.

Current process:

現在、この業務はどのような流れで行っていますか。
Genzai, kono gyoumu wa dono you na nagare de okonatte imasu ka.

Problem:

最も時間がかかっている工程はどこですか。
Mottomo jikan ga kakatte iru koutei wa doko desu ka.

Impact:

その課題によって、どのような影響がありますか。
Sono kadai ni yotte, dono you na eikyou ga arimasu ka.

Priority:

今期中に改善する優先度はどのくらいですか。
Konki-chuu ni kaizen suru yuusendo wa dono kurai desu ka.

Decision process:

導入を検討する場合、どなたが関係しますか。
Dounyuu o kentou suru baai, donata ga kankei shimasu ka.

Do not interrogate. Reflect the answer before the next question.

Presenting value

Use problem, mechanism and evidence:

伺った内容では、[problem] が主な課題ですね。弊社の [service] は [mechanism] により、同規模の企業で [verified result] を実現しました。御社の場合も適合するか、データを確認しながら検証できます。

Useful phrases:

御社の状況に合わせて、効果を試算します。
Onsha no joukyou ni awasete, kouka o shisan shimasu.

保証ではなく、過去の事例としてご紹介します。
Hoshou dewa naku, kako no jirei to shite goshoukai shimasu.

適合しない場合は、導入をおすすめしません。
Tekigou shinai baai wa, dounyuu o osusume shimasen.

Never present a case-study result as a guaranteed outcome.

Qualifying fit without pressuring

A qualified opportunity needs problem, impact, priority, decision process and a plausible path to value. Ask only what is necessary for the next step.

この課題は、現在どの程度優先されていますか。
Kono kadai wa, genzai dono teido yuusen sarete imasu ka.

解決できた場合、どの指標が改善しますか。
Kaiketsu dekita baai, dono shihyou ga kaizen shimasu ka.

すでに検討している方法はありますか。
Sudeni kentou shite iru houhou wa arimasu ka.

意思決定の予定時期はいつですか。
Ishi kettei no yotei jiki wa itsu desu ka.

技術、法務、情報セキュリティの確認は必要ですか。
Gijutsu, houmu, jouhou sekyuriti no kakunin wa hitsuyou desu ka.

If there is no meaningful problem or timing, offer a useful resource or close the opportunity. Do not manufacture urgency.

Voicemail and callback messages

Keep voicemail short and do not disclose sensitive commercial information.

〇〇社の〇〇と申します。[topic] について確認したくお電話しました。折り返しは [number] です。改めてこちらからもご連絡します。失礼いたします。

When requesting a callback through reception:

[Name] 様に、〇〇社の〇〇から電話があったとお伝えいただけますか。連絡先は [number] です。

When returning a call:

先ほどお電話をいただいた〇〇です。どのようなご用件でしょうか。
Sakihodo odenwa o itadaita [name] desu. Dono you na goyouken deshou ka.

Do not repeatedly call after a request for email only or no further contact.

Data handling and call notes

Record only business-relevant facts and follow company privacy policy.

Useful internal note fields:

  • Contact source and lawful basis/permission where required.
  • Date, time and caller identity.
  • Prospect's exact problem and impact.
  • Claims/material shared.
  • Objections and refusal status.
  • Agreed next step, owner and date.
  • Suppression or do-not-contact instruction.

Do not copy personal phone numbers, confidential customer data or call recordings into unapproved AI tools. If recording is contemplated, obtain compliance guidance and any required notification or consent before the call.

Call coaching questions

After practice, review:

  1. Did the opener identify the seller and commercial purpose?
  2. Did the prospect speak more than the seller during discovery?
  3. Was every claim supportable?
  4. Did the seller reflect the prospect's words accurately?
  5. Was a refusal honored immediately?
  6. Was the next step proportional to interest?

Rewrite only the weakest twenty seconds and repeat it. Rehearsing an entire script word-for-word can make the live call sound inflexible.

Handling objections

No budget

予算がないとのこと、承知しました。次回の予算策定時期はいつですか。資料だけお送りしてもよろしいですか。

Already using a competitor

現在のサービスで満足している点と、改善したい点はありますか。切り替えを前提にせず、比較情報をご提供できます。

Send information

承知しました。どの課題に関する資料が必要ですか。不要な情報を送らないよう確認します。

Not interested

承知しました。今後のご案内は差し控えます。お時間をいただき、ありがとうございました。

Do not convert a clear refusal into another objection loop.

Setting the next meeting

具体的な事例と費用を20分でご説明したいのですが、来週お時間はありますか。
Gutaiteki na jirei to hiyou o nijuppun de gosetsumei shitai no desu ga, raishuu ojikan wa arimasu ka.

火曜日の10時と木曜日の15時では、どちらがよろしいですか。
Kayoubi no juuji to mokuyoubi no juugoji de wa, dochira ga yoroshii desu ka.

参加される方と、事前に確認すべき項目を教えてください。
Sanka sareru kata to, jizen ni kakunin subeki koumoku o oshiete kudasai.

本日の内容とアジェンダをメールでお送りします。
Honjitsu no naiyou to ajenda o meeru de ookuri shimasu.

Use Japanese client meeting phrases and Japanese meeting phrases for the next stage.

Complete sales call scripts

Warm B2B introduction

Seller: 〇〇様のご紹介でお電話しました。弊社は物流会社向けに問い合わせ対応を自動化しています。今、2分ほどよろしいですか。
Prospect: はい。
Seller: 現在、問い合わせの分類と担当振り分けにどのくらい時間がかかっていますか。
Prospect: 毎日2時間ほどです。
Seller: ありがとうございます。同規模の企業で平均対応時間を短縮した事例があります。御社の件数で効果を試算するため、20分の打ち合わせはいかがでしょうか。

Gatekeeper

Seller: [topic] のご担当者様に、事例資料について確認したくお電話しました。ご担当部署を教えていただけますか。
Reception: 営業電話は受け付けていません。
Seller: 承知しました。今後の電話は差し控えます。ありがとうございました。

Clear refusal

Prospect: 必要ありません。今後も電話しないでください。
Seller: 承知しました。ご意向を記録し、今後のご案内は停止します。お時間をいただき、ありがとうございました。

Follow-up email

件名:本日のお電話の確認/[topic]

[Name] 様
本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございました。以下のとおり理解しています。

  • 現状: [current process]
  • 課題: [problem/impact]
  • お送りする資料: [requested item]
  • 次回: [date/time/participants]

認識に相違があればお知らせください。不要の場合は、今後のご案内を停止いたします。

Do not add unagreed claims such as “the customer approved the proposal.”

Consumer telemarketing compliance

The Consumer Affairs Agency's English guide says covered consumer telemarketing sales require disclosure before solicitation of:

  • Business operator name.
  • Caller name.
  • Type of goods/service.
  • The fact that the purpose is solicitation for a contract.

It also prohibits continued solicitation or re-solicitation after the consumer says they do not intend to contract. Covered transactions have document and cooling-off rules.

B2B calls, regulated industries, privacy, recordings and marketing lists can involve different rules. Obtain legal/compliance review for the actual campaign.

Call quality checklist

Score the call on behavior:

Area Evidence
Permission Prospect agreed to brief conversation
Relevance Reason tied to researched need
Discovery Seller learned current process and impact
Accuracy Claims were sourced and qualified
Listening Seller summarized prospect answer
Next step Specific owner/date or respectful close
Compliance Identity, purpose and refusal honored

Do not score success only by appointment count.

Practice plan

  1. Deliver the opening in 20 seconds.
  2. Ask three discovery questions.
  3. Present value in two sentences.
  4. Handle no budget, competitor and refusal.
  5. Set or decline the next step accurately.

Practise a Japanese sales call, repeat a gatekeeper conversation, and try a clear-refusal scenario with fictional company data.

Build supporting skills with Japanese speaking practice with AI, how to practice speaking Japanese alone, Japanese shadowing practice, and a 30-minute Japanese study routine.

Final checklist

Confirm:

  • Lawful/relevant contact source.
  • Company, caller, offer and purpose disclosure.
  • Permission to continue.
  • Current process, problem and impact.
  • Evidence-based value.
  • Objection or refusal handling.
  • Next step, owner and date.
  • Accurate follow-up and suppression record.

End with:

本日の内容と次のステップをメールで確認します。ありがとうございました。
Honjitsu no naiyou to tsugi no suteppu o meeru de kakunin shimasu. Arigatou gozaimashita.

How we researched

We checked Tokyo's official foreign-business guidance, JETRO business-meeting material and Consumer Affairs Agency telemarketing-sales guidance in Japanese and English on 22 October 2026.

This article provides language and workflow practice, not legal, privacy or campaign-compliance advice. Have actual scripts, lists, recording and contracts reviewed for applicable rules.

Sources

About SoraSpeak: SoraSpeak is an AI Japanese speaking-practice web app at https://soraspeak.com. It provides three free spoken sessions per day without a credit card. Support: soraspeaksupport@gmail.com.

SoraSpeak is an independent Japanese speaking-practice app. It is not a school, employer, immigration adviser, testing organization, or affiliate of any product named here. Requirements, fees, schedules, and product features can change; verify them with the official source before acting.

FAQ

How do I open a Japanese sales call?
Identify yourself and the purpose, then ask permission: '[Company] no [name] to moushimasu. [Service] no goannai de odenwa shimashita. Ima, nifun hodo yoroshii deshou ka' (I am [name] from [company]. May I have two minutes?).
Are cold calls effective in Japan?
Tokyo's official foreign-business guidance says cold calls are not an effective way to do business and that a trusted introduction can improve response. Use referrals, relevant research and appointment-setting rather than pushing a full pitch without context.
What must a consumer telemarketer disclose in Japan?
Consumer Affairs Agency guidance says covered telemarketing sales must identify the business operator, caller, type of goods or service and that the purpose is contract solicitation before soliciting. Applicable rules depend on the transaction, so obtain compliance advice.
What if the prospect says they are not interested?
Acknowledge and stop: 'Kashikomarimashita. Kongo no goannai wa sashihikaemasu' (Understood. We will refrain from further solicitation). CAA guidance prohibits continuing or re-soliciting covered consumers after refusal. Update suppression records across the relevant campaign and channels so another caller does not repeat the solicitation.
How do I ask for a Japanese sales meeting?
Say, 'Gutaiteki na jirei o 20-pun de gosetsumei shitai no desu ga, raishuu omimai dekiru jikan wa arimasu ka' (Could we schedule 20 minutes next week for specific examples?). Offer two times and a written agenda.
How do I follow up after a Japanese sales call?
Send a short email confirming the problem, agreed material, owner and next date. Do not claim agreement that was not given. Attach only requested documents and include a clear way to decline future contact where relevant.

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