Let me introduce a comedic and heartwarming story about an exceptionally competent female employee who enlists the help of her respected boss in a fake relationship to avoid an unwanted arranged marriage. Filled with humor and entertaining chaos, this work serves as a great resource for learners who want to study authentic Japanese business conversations.
Work Information
Shacho, KoibitonoFurioShite WatashinoChichini AtteKudasai (社長、恋人のフリをして私の父に会ってください。)
Author: Etorouji Shiono
Publisher: Shonengahosha
Amount of text: plentiful
Challenge level: ★★★
Latest volume : Vol.2（Sep.2021 / Completed）
Story overview
The vice president of RHX Sakonics, a precision equipment company, Shinichiro Sakon, has a highly competent subordinate, Nonoka Soejima. However, her father has proposed a marriage that could be detrimental to the company. To break off this engagement, Nonoka proposes a fake relationship to her boss! A situational romantic comedy about a fake relationship between the company president and a career woman!
Why this manga is suitable for learning Japanese
Nonoka Soejima’s Impeccable Business Keigo
Nonoka Soejima, the protagonist, is portrayed as a highly competent business professional who flawlessly uses business Japanese (keigo). Throughout the story, numerous scenes depict her interactions with Sakon. Nonoka consistently maintains perfect keigo when addressing Sakon, providing readers with excellent examples of high-quality business speech patterns in Japanese.
A Rare Comedy Manga Featuring Authentic Business Keigo.
This work depicts numerous conversation scenes where top-tier business professionals use authentic business keigo when speaking to their superiors and clients in real workplace settings. Manga that serve as exemplary references for advanced business keigo are quite rare, and even more so when combined with the lighthearted nature of a situational comedy. This makes the work particularly unique. Additionally, with the series being compact and concluding in just two volumes, it serves as an excellent introduction to authentic Japanese business keigo.
Phrase Spotlight
Is “マスト” a Must? The Reality of Katakana English in Businessそこはマストでおねがいします
The phrase 「そこはマストでおねがいします」 is a common example of Katakana English in Japanese business conversations. While widely used in corporate settings, overusing such expressions can sometimes sound overly casual or forced.
Breaking Down the Phrase
The phrase 「そこはマストでおねがいします」 is a mix of Japanese and English, often heard in business settings. Let’s break it down:
・そこ (soko) – “That part” or “That aspect”
・マスト (masuto, from “must”) – A katakana loanword from English, meaning “absolutely necessary” or “mandatory”
・で (de) – A particle indicating a condition or state
・おねがいします (onegai shimasu) – A polite request, meaning “please do it” or “I ask this of you”
So, the phrase roughly translates to “That part is a must, so please make sure to do it.” It’s often used when emphasizing that something is non-negotiable in a business situation.
Similar Expressions in Business Japanese
Here are three more examples of Japanese business phrases that mix English loanwords:
1.「このタスク、今日中にフィニッシュできますか？」
・Meaning: “Can you finish this task by today?”
・“フィニッシュ” (finish) replaces the native Japanese word “終える” (oeru).
2.「この件、クライアントとアグリー（agree）できたら進めます。」
・Meaning: “If we can agree with the client on this matter, we’ll proceed.”
・“アグリー” (agree) replaces “合意する” (goui suru).
3.「スケジュールがタイトなので、プライオリティをつけて進めましょう。」
・Meaning: “Since the schedule is tight, let’s set priorities and move forward.”
・“タイト” (tight) replaces “厳しい” (kibishii), and “プライオリティ” (priority) replaces “優先順位” (yuusen jun’i).
The Popularity of Katakana English in Business Conversations and Its Background
In recent years, the use of English loanwords (Katakana English) in Japanese business conversations has become increasingly common. Several factors contribute to this trend:
1.Globalization and the Influence of Foreign Companies
As more Japanese companies expand into global markets and engage with foreign businesses, the use of English in the workplace has naturally increased. Some companies have even adopted English as their official corporate language. This trend is especially prominent in industries like IT, consulting, and startups, where English terminology is frequently used.
2.The Integration of Industry-Specific Terms
Sectors such as IT, marketing, and finance inherently rely on English terminology, which has led to the widespread adoption of Katakana English. Words like “agenda,” “consensus,” and “evidence” have become standard business vocabulary in Japan. In many cases, these terms are shorter and more convenient than their Japanese equivalents, making them practical choices in daily communication.
3.The Desire to Project a Professional Image
Some professionals, particularly younger employees and management-level workers, deliberately incorporate Katakana English into their speech to appear more sophisticated or globally minded. Using English loanwords can create an impression of being “smart,” “modern,” and “business-savvy.”
4.Expressing Nuances That Are Hard to Convey in Japanese
Certain English words carry nuances that are difficult to translate directly into Japanese. For example, “commit” implies a strong sense of responsibility and dedication, whereas the Japanese equivalents 「約束する」(yakusoku suru) or 「専念する」(sennen suru) may not fully capture the depth of the term. By using Katakana English, professionals can communicate more precisely in certain business contexts.
However, while the use of Katakana English has its advantages, overusing it can lead to misunderstandings, alienate colleagues, and even be perceived as pretentious or unnecessary.
The Risks of Overusing Katakana English in Business Japanese
While mixing English into Japanese business conversations is common, overuse can be seen as pretentious or unnecessary. People who do this excessively may be viewed as trying too hard to sound sophisticated, leading to negative perceptions such as:
・煙たがられる – Considered annoying or difficult to deal with
・バカにされる – Made fun of or not taken seriously
・「意識高い系」と揶揄される – Mocked as a self-important “high-awareness type” person
Over-the-Top Examples
Here are some exaggerated cases where English is overused to the point of sounding unnatural or ridiculous:
1.「このプロジェクト、フルコミットでエグゼキューションしないと、クライアントのサティスファクションがアチーブできません。」
・“Unless we fully commit to executing this project, we won’t achieve client satisfaction.”
2.「このマター、コンセンサスをゲットしてからイシューをクリアにしないと、ネゴシエーションがタフになりますよね。」
・“We need to get consensus and clear the issue before negotiating, otherwise it will be tough.”
Using too much katakana English can make communication unnecessarily complex, especially for non-native speakers or even native Japanese speakers who may find excessive jargon frustrating. In a professional setting, clarity and natural language are often preferred over trendy or forced English expressions.
A Little Warning
It’s best not to mimic Sakon’s way of speaking.
Sakon’s character as a company president is somewhat exaggerated in a manga-style manner, making his speech notably arrogant toward those around him. If you were to imitate his way of speaking in daily life, people might perceive you as overly proud or rude, so please be mindful of that.
A Challenging Work for Intermediate Learners and Above.
Set in a business environment, this work features relatively advanced vocabulary and a lot of dialogue. Therefore, it might be challenging for beginner Japanese learners. It is recommended for intermediate learners and above who find simpler content unsatisfactory.
Work Information
Shacho, KoibitonoFurioShite WatashinoChichini AtteKudasai (社長、恋人のフリをして私の父に会ってください。)
Author: Etorouji Shiono
Publisher: Shonengahosha
Amount of text: plentiful
Challenge level: ★★★
Latest volume : Vol.2（Sep.2021 / Completed）
This Blog’s ConceptIn this blog, we are introducing manga that are not only highly captivating but also ideal for Japanese language learners. Studying Japanese through manga is both fun and effective. Manga allows you to understand the subtleties of keigo (honorifics), teineigo (polite speech), and casual conversation in Japanese. We hope you find works that match your interests and use them to enhance your Japanese learning journey.