Practice Japanese at a Networking Event
Networking events in Japanese blend small talk and professional purpose: you have 5 minutes per conversation to introduce yourself, find something interesting in common, and exchange contacts. This scenario rehearses the elevator pitch in Japanese, asking and answering 'What do you do?' professionally, and the graceful pivot to exchanging LinkedIn or business cards. You'll practise the assertive-but-friendly register that works at industry events, and the follow-up email language for the next morning.
Sample Japanese conversation
こんにちは！初めてお会いしますよね。リンガルドです。今日はどんな目的で来られましたか？
Hi there! I don't think we've met. I'm Linguarudo. What brings you to this event?こんにちは！テック業界で働いています。新しいつながりを作りたくて。
Hi! I work in tech. I'm hoping to make some new connections.テック業界、面白いですね！具体的にはどんなお仕事を？開発？デザイン？
Tech, that's exciting! What exactly do you do? Are you a developer, a designer, or something else?ソフトウェア開発者です。モバイルアプリを専門にしています。
I'm a software developer. I specialize in mobile apps.すごいですね！どのくらいやっているんですか？楽しいですか？
That's impressive! How long have you been doing that? Do you enjoy it?5年ほどです。とても楽しんでいます。
I've been in the field for five years. I really enjoy it.
What you'll learn
- Deliver a 30-second professional introduction
- Ask 'What do you do?' and follow up with substance
- Find common ground quickly with someone new
- Exchange contacts and propose a follow-up
- Send a polite follow-up message the next day
Frequently asked questions
What's a strong elevator pitch in Japanese?
Name, role, one specific thing you're working on, and one thing you're curious about. The scenario rehearses the formula.
How do I exchange LinkedIn details in Japanese?
There's a quick polite formula — 'Are you on LinkedIn? Let's connect' — that works internationally. The scenario covers it.
What questions should I ask at a Japanese networking event?
Ask about specific projects, recent challenges, and what they're hiring for. The scenario gives you ready-to-use phrasings.
How do I follow up after a Japanese networking event?
A short, specific email referring to one thing from the conversation. The scenario teaches the formula for the morning-after note.