Phone Calls
Answering, calling, leaving messages — handle Japanese phone calls without hanging up in confusion.
Phone Calls
Phone Etiquette by Situation:
  • Business / formal calls: answer with 「はい、○○です」, close with 「失礼いたします」
  • Personal / friends: just answer with 「もしもし」, casual and relaxed
  • Unknown callers / institutions: answer with 「はい、○○です」and state your name
  • Calling an institution or shop yourself? Open with 「お忙しいところ恐れ入ります」to sound polite
Automated Voice Systems:
  • Press 1 for Japanese, Press 2 for English (if available)
  • Listen carefully to the options before pressing
  • Press 0 or say 「オペレーター」to connect to a human operator
  • If you miss the options, stay on the line — the menu usually repeats
When You Can't Understand:
  • Say 「日本語があまり話せません」to notify the other party
  • Ask them to speak slowly: 「ゆっくり話していただけますか」
  • If the line is bad: 「電波が悪くて聞こえにくいんですが」
  • For important info, ask them to send via LINE or email: 「LINEで送ってもらえますか」
Emergency Contacts:
  • 110: Police
  • 119: Ambulance & Fire
  • #7119: Emergency consultation center
  • #8000: Children's emergency line
Phone Calls Answering, calling, leaving messages — handle Japanese phone calls without hanging up in confusion.
Making & Taking Calls
Answering the Phone電話を受けるWhen You Can't Understand聞き取れない時Making Calls & Reservations電話をかける・予約
Voicemail & Auto Voice
Leaving Messages伝言Automated Voice Systems自動音声対応