Workplace Japanese: 報連相, 根回し, 稟議, 承認

Core examples: 報連相, 根回し, 稟議, 承認, 相談, 共有, 確認, 決裁, 上司, 担当者, 会議資料.

Workplace words describe procedures, not just actions

Japanese office vocabulary often names invisible processes.

報連相 根回し 稟議 承認 決裁 共有 確認

These words are not just “report,” “consult,” and “approve.” They describe how decisions move through people, documents, hierarchy, and informal alignment.

The key principle is:

Workplace Japanese often names process before result.

To understand a Japanese workplace conversation, ask: who needs to know, who must be consulted, who approves, and what document or meeting moves the decision forward?

報連相: report, contact, consult

報連相

is a workplace abbreviation from:

報告 reporting

連絡 contacting/informing

相談 consulting

It is pronounced ほうれんそう, like spinach, which makes it memorable.

報連相 is a workplace norm: keep people informed, report progress, contact relevant parties, and consult before problems grow.

Example:

早めに報連相をしてください。 Please report, contact, and consult early.

Learner action: 報連相 is not one action. It is a communication discipline.

根回し: informal groundwork

根回し

literally comes from preparing roots before transplanting a tree. In workplace language, it means informal groundwork or pre-consensus building before a formal decision.

Examples:

会議の前に根回しをする do groundwork before the meeting

関係者に根回ししておく informally align stakeholders in advance

根回し can be positive, practical, or sometimes manipulative depending on context. It means the real decision process may begin before the official meeting.

稟議: circulating approval document

稟議

refers to an internal approval process, often involving a document circulated for approval.

Related:

稟議書 approval request document

稟議を上げる submit a request for approval

In many companies, a decision requires written circulation and stamps/electronic approval before action.

Learner action: 稟議 is a procedure, not just “ask boss.”

承認 and 決裁

承認

means approval.

決裁

means final authorization/approval decision, often by someone with authority.

Examples:

上司の承認を得る get supervisor approval

決裁を受ける receive final authorization

決裁者 final approver

承認 can be broader. 決裁 often points to formal authority.

共有: sharing information

共有

means sharing, often information sharing.

Examples:

情報を共有する share information

会議資料を共有します I will share the meeting materials.

チーム内で共有してください Please share within the team.

共有 is common in modern workplace Japanese and can sound smoother than simply 言う or 送る.

確認: confirmation/checking

確認

is everywhere in workplace Japanese.

Examples:

ご確認ください please check/confirm

確認します I will check

確認済み confirmed/checked

確認 may mean checking facts, reviewing a document, confirming receipt, or verifying details. It is often safer and more professional than saying 見る.

担当者 and 上司

担当者 person in charge / responsible staff member

上司 supervisor/boss

Workplace Japanese often defines responsibility by role.

Examples:

担当者に確認します。 I will check with the person in charge.

上司に相談します。 I will consult my supervisor.

These phrases show process and hierarchy.

会議資料

会議資料

means meeting materials/documents.

Common phrases:

会議資料を作成する prepare meeting materials

会議資料を共有する share meeting materials

事前にご確認ください please review in advance

Meeting vocabulary often connects to 根回し, 共有, 確認, and 承認.

Example bank walkthrough

報連相

Reporting, contacting, consulting.

Learner action: workplace communication norm.

根回し

Informal groundwork before formal decision.

Learner action: watch for pre-meeting alignment.

稟議

Internal approval process/document circulation.

Learner action: procedural company vocabulary.

承認

Approval.

Learner action: identify who approves what.

相談

Consultation.

Learner action: often before deciding.

共有

Information sharing.

Learner action: common in meetings and email.

確認

Check/confirm.

Learner action: broad professional verb.

決裁

Final authorization.

Learner action: stronger and more formal than general approval.

上司

Supervisor.

Learner action: hierarchy marker.

担当者

Person in charge.

Learner action: responsibility marker.

会議資料

Meeting materials.

Learner action: connects to preparation and review.

Workplace-process map

When reading or hearing workplace Japanese, ask:

1. Who is responsible? 担当者.
2. Who must be informed? 共有, 連絡.
3. Who must be consulted? 相談, 上司.
4. Who approves? 承認, 決裁.
5. Is informal alignment needed? 根回し.
6. Is a document required? 稟議書, 会議資料.
7. What is the next action? 確認, 共有, 提出, 実施.

Hidden decision sequence

Japanese workplace communication often moves through stages that are not visible in the final meeting.

A common sequence:

相談 → 根回し → 資料共有 → 会議 → 稟議 → 承認/決裁 → 実施 → 報告

This means a formal meeting may not be where a decision begins. It may be where a pre-aligned decision is confirmed.

報告, 連絡, 相談 are different

報連相 is often taught as a slogan, but each part has a different trigger.

A learner who only reports after the fact may miss the need for 相談 before acting. A learner who only consults may fail to report completion. 報連相 is about timing, not just politeness.

承認 versus 決裁

承認 is approval; 決裁 is more like formal authorization by a person with decision authority. A team member may 承認 a proposal, but the 決裁者 has the formal power to authorize it.

This matters in email:

ご承認をお願いいたします。 Please approve.

決裁をお願いいたします。 Please provide final authorization.

The second is more formal and process-bound.

A strong tool for this article would simulate Japanese office decision-making.

Suggested functions:

1. Scenario cards: purchase, policy change, client issue, meeting prep.
2. Process flow: 報告 → 相談 → 根回し → 稟議 → 承認/決裁 → 実施.
3. Role labels: 担当者, 上司, 決裁者.
4. Email phrase builder: 共有します, ご確認ください, 承認をお願いします.
5. Hidden-process warning: decisions before meetings.
6. Register notes: casual internal chat vs formal request.

Final rule

Japanese workplace vocabulary reveals how decisions move.

報連相 keeps communication flowing. 根回し prepares consensus. 稟議 formalizes approval. 承認 and 決裁 authorize action. 共有 and 確認 keep teams aligned.

To understand the workplace, read the process behind the word.