How to write a polite follow-up email in Japanese

Japanese follow-ups work best when they assume good intent, restate the ask briefly, and leave an easy next step. “Just checking in” calques often sound abrupt — the API rewrites below show a safer Business register.

Gentle reminder

Input

Just checking in on my last email about the quote. Have you had a chance to look at it?

Natural Japanese

先日お送りいたしました見積書の件で、改めてご連絡を差し上げました。お手すきの際に、ご確認いただけますでしょうか。

Points back to the prior quote email and asks for a look when convenient — no accusation about silence.

Rewritten with Tadashii Kotoba — Business style, recipient: client (live API).

If you need a decision by a date

Input

Could you reply by Friday if possible? We need to finalize the schedule next week.

Natural Japanese

もし可能でしたら、金曜日までにご返信をいただけますでしょうか。来週、スケジュールを確定させる必要がございます。

A soft deadline (もし可能でしたら + いただけますでしょうか) stays safer than a hard demand while still stating the need.

Rewritten with Tadashii Kotoba — Business style, recipient: client (live API).