School drills often feel like “add more politeness points.” Japan’s cultural council keigo guideline (2007) frames it differently: keigo signals relationship in a scene, rests on mutual respect, and is also how you express your stance.
It places people: topic person, addressee, you
Mutual respect — not feudal rank cosplay
Roles still exist (client / senior / junior). But “this title always takes form X” breaks in real offices. The skill is scene-by-scene choice — what relationship am I showing *now*?
Self-expression — and “isn’t keigo outdated hierarchy?”
Guideline reframe: keigo use is self-expression. Two good speakers can word the same meeting differently — both fine. Own your stance; don’t only memorize a script. Modern frame is mutual respect inside real roles — not “some humans are higher.” You still need scene wording for clients, teachers, and bosses.