How to Say "My Company" in Japanese: Heisha, Tousha, Jisha, and More

Have you ever paused mid-sentence wondering how to refer to your own company? In Japanese business communication, the choice between heisha (弊社), tousha (当社), jisha (自社), wagasha (我が社), and shousha (小社) can subtly shape how clients, interviewers, and colleagues perceive you. Pick the wrong one for the context and you risk sounding overly stiff, presumptuous, or simply unprofessional.

This article walks through every common way to refer to your own company in Japanese, when each term fits, and how the choice changes across in-house meetings, client communications, emails, resumes, and interviews. You will find ready-to-use example sentences, common pitfalls to avoid, and an FAQ that addresses the questions people most often ask. By the end, you will be able to pick the right term instantly for any situation and project confidence in every business setting.

Basic Rules for Saying "My Company" in Japanese

Before diving into individual terms, it helps to understand the underlying principle: Japanese business language draws a clear line between how you refer to your own organization and how you refer to others'. This sense of in-group versus out-group sits at the heart of polite speech and dictates which words are appropriate.

The difference between humble and neutral expressions

Heisha (弊社) is a humble form, lowering your own side relative to the listener. Tousha (当社) is neutral, simply identifying your company without raising or lowering it. Jisha (自社) is purely descriptive, often used internally or in writing about your own organization objectively. Wagasha (我が社) carries a sense of pride or ownership and is typically used internally by leadership. Shousha (小社) is a humble term mainly seen in publishing and writing. Knowing which register each term occupies is the first step to choosing well.

In-group versus out-group thinking

Japanese business etiquette treats people inside your company as the in-group (uchi) and people outside as the out-group (soto). When you speak to or about someone outside your company, you typically lower your own side and elevate theirs. This is why heisha pairs naturally with onsha (御社) or kisha (貴社) when addressing clients, while tousha works fine when you are simply stating facts in a press release or in-house announcement.

Spoken versus written contexts

Some terms feel more natural in speech, others in writing. Heisha and tousha work in both, but onsha is strictly spoken and kisha is strictly written. We will get into the detail of paired usage later, but keep in mind that the medium influences the choice from the start.

Hierarchy of formality at a glance

Rough ranking from most humble to most assertive: shousha and heisha (humble) → tousha (neutral) → jisha (descriptive) → wagasha (assertive or proud). Use the humble forms with outsiders, the neutral form for factual statements, the descriptive form when comparing or analyzing your own company, and the assertive form internally when motivating teams or expressing collective ownership.

Heisha (弊社): The Default Humble Form

Heisha is the most widely used way to refer to your own company when speaking with external parties. It positions your side beneath the listener and signals respect by default. When in doubt with a client, heisha is almost always the safe choice.

When to use heisha

Use heisha in client meetings, sales conversations, customer support exchanges, emails to vendors, proposals, contracts, and any context where the listener or reader is outside your company. The key signal is that someone external can hear or read your words. "Heisha no service" (our service), "Heisha kara on-todoke shimasu" (we will deliver from our side), "Heisha to shite wa" (as our company) are all idiomatic openings.

Heisha in sales and proposals

When pitching to a prospect, heisha pairs with onsha or kisha to build the contrast: "We at heisha would like to propose a partnership with onsha." The structure lowers your side and elevates theirs, which is exactly the etiquette pattern that makes Japanese business prose feel polished. Overuse can sound stiff, so vary the rhythm with pronouns like watashidomo or specific descriptions of your team.

Heisha in customer service

Apologies and follow-ups in customer support nearly always start with heisha. "Heisha no fubi de gomeiwaku o okakeshi" (we apologize for the inconvenience caused by our oversight) is a stock opening that conveys responsibility while keeping the customer in the elevated position. Skipping the humble form in apology contexts can read as defensive.

Heisha in B2B emails

Email is one of the most reliable places to use heisha because it is naturally polite and written. The opening greeting often includes "Heisha no XX de gozaimasu" (this is XX from our company), followed by the request or update. Closing lines like "Heisha ichidou yorokonde okotaeitashimasu" (our entire team is glad to respond) reinforce the polite frame.

Tousha (当社): The Neutral, Versatile Term

Tousha sits in the middle of the politeness spectrum. It does not lower your side, nor does it elevate it. Think of it as the default for internal documents, press releases, and any context where neutrality matters.

When to use tousha

Use tousha in press releases, internal memos, policies, terms of service, board reports, and analyst-facing materials. "Tousha no hoshin" (our company's policy), "Tousha wa kongo mo" (we will continue to), and "Tousha seihin" (our product) are typical. Because tousha is neutral, it works whether the audience is internal or external, as long as the tone is factual rather than humble.

Tousha versus heisha

The simplest rule of thumb: if you are showing deference, choose heisha; if you are stating facts, choose tousha. A press release announcing a new product would use tousha throughout because the goal is informational. A sales email proposing a discount would use heisha to keep the deferential tone with the client.

Tousha in policies and legal text

Terms of service, privacy policies, and contracts overwhelmingly use tousha. The neutral register signals that the document is a formal statement of the company's position, not a personal appeal. Switching to heisha in legal text would sound oddly humble and could weaken the document's authoritative tone.

Tousha in internal communications

All-hands announcements, internal newsletters, and HR notices use tousha. The audience is your own employees, so humility is unnecessary; the goal is to share company-level information clearly. Watch how your leadership team uses tousha in their messages — it sets the tone for the rest of the organization.

Jisha (自社): The Descriptive, Analytical Term

Jisha is less common in everyday speech but appears frequently in business analysis, strategy documents, and contexts where you compare your company with others. It is the most objective of the in-group terms.

When to use jisha

Use jisha in market analysis, internal strategy decks, audit reports, due diligence materials, and academic-style writing about your company. "Jisha no kyousou yui" (our competitive advantage), "Jisha kaihatsu" (in-house developed), and "Jisha kabushiki" (treasury stock) are common collocations. The term feels analytical, almost as if you were studying the company from a slight remove.

Jisha in strategy and analysis

When comparing your company to competitors in a deck or memo, jisha keeps the analysis clean: "Jisha to A-sha no chigai" (the difference between our company and Company A). It avoids the deferential tone of heisha and the policy-statement tone of tousha, both of which can muddy comparative analysis.

Jisha versus tousha in writing

Tousha announces what the company is doing; jisha describes what the company is. A press release saying "tousha wa shinki jigyou o kaishi shimasu" (we are launching a new business) declares action. A strategy memo saying "jisha no kyouka subeki bun'ya" (areas where our company should grow stronger) describes a state. Pick the one whose flavor matches the document's intent.

Jisha in technical and product contexts

Software and product teams often use jisha to distinguish in-house development from outsourced work: "jisha kaihatsu no purodakuto" (an in-house developed product). This is descriptive rather than humble, which fits the technical register.

Wagasha (我が社): The Proud, Internal Voice

Wagasha carries warmth and ownership. It is the term leaders reach for when rallying a team or expressing collective pride. Use it carefully — outside the right context, it can sound boastful or old-fashioned.

When to use wagasha

Wagasha works in CEO speeches, kickoff addresses, internal town halls, year-end messages, and other moments where the speaker wants to remind everyone that they are part of something shared. "Wagasha no rekishi" (our company's history), "Wagasha no shimei" (our company's mission), and "Wagasha wa" (we, as a company) sound stirring when delivered from a stage.

When wagasha sounds wrong

Avoid wagasha in client emails, press releases, and customer-facing materials. It can read as self-important when the audience is external. Younger Japanese audiences may also find it old-school, so younger startup cultures often substitute tousha or even watashitachi no kaisha (our company) for warmth without the heaviness.

Generational and cultural notes

Senior leaders from traditional Japanese companies use wagasha freely. Newer founders and global teams may use it sparingly because the tone feels formal. Read the room: if your CEO uses wagasha in monthly meetings, mirroring that vocabulary in internal communications can build cohesion.

Wagasha in onboarding and culture documents

Welcome decks and culture handbooks often use wagasha to convey identity. "Wagasha no value" (our values) or "Wagasha-rashisa" (what makes our company who we are) cement a sense of belonging for new hires.

Shousha (小社): The Publishing-World Humble Form

Shousha is a niche but useful term, primarily seen in publishing, writing, and traditional industries. It is the most humble of the lot, often used in formal printed correspondence.

When to use shousha

Publishing houses, literary magazines, and traditional small businesses use shousha in author correspondence, cover letters, and printed materials. "Shousha kara kankou" (published by our company) and "Shousha no shoseki" (our company's books) are stock phrases in the industry.

Shousha in modern contexts

Outside publishing, shousha can sound dated. Most modern industries use heisha as the default humble term. If you are corresponding with a publisher or a traditional small business, matching their use of shousha shows awareness of industry conventions.

Choosing the Right Term by Context

With the major terms covered, here is a scene-by-scene guide showing which to reach for in common business situations.

Meeting with a client face-to-face

Use heisha. Pair it with onsha when referring to the client's company. Keep the structure consistent — "Heisha to shite mo, onsha no go-youbou ni soeru you" (we as our company also want to meet your company's expectations) is the kind of paired phrasing that reads as polished.

Sending an email to a prospect

Use heisha throughout the body. In subject lines, you may drop the term entirely and use specific descriptions instead ("Apointmento no go-irai" — request for an appointment). Pair with kisha (written form) when referring to their company.

Writing a press release

Use tousha. Press releases are formal statements of fact, not deferential communications. "Tousha wa hon-jitsu, atarashii saabisu o ronchi shimashita" (our company launched a new service today) is the standard cadence.

Drafting an internal memo

Use tousha or wagasha depending on tone. Tousha works for policy updates and factual announcements; wagasha works when the leader wants to invoke shared identity.

Writing a strategy or analysis document

Use jisha. Comparative analysis reads cleaner when you treat your own company as one object among many: "Jisha to kyougou tasha no chigai" (the differences between our company and competitors).

Job interviews where you are the candidate

When discussing your current employer in an interview elsewhere, you face a tricky choice. Many candidates avoid heisha and tousha entirely, referring to their current company by name or saying "genshoku no kaisha" (my current company). This sidesteps the awkwardness of speaking humbly about an employer while addressing a different organization.

Resume and cover letter

Use "shokumu keireki sho" conventions: refer to past employers by their formal names rather than heisha or tousha. The candidate's perspective is one of describing employers, not speaking on their behalf.

Ready-to-Use Example Sentences

Below are example sentences you can adapt directly. Adjust names and details to match your situation.

Self-introduction at a client meeting

"Heisha eigyou-bu no Tanaka to moushimasu. Honjitsu wa kichoona o-jikan o itadaki, makoto ni arigatou gozaimasu." (I am Tanaka from the sales department of our company. Thank you very much for your valuable time today.)

Opening line of a client email

"Itsumo o-sewa ni natte orimasu. Heisha XX no Sato de gozaimasu." (Thank you for your continued support. This is Sato of XX from our company.)

Apology in customer support

"Kono tabi wa heisha no fubi ni yori go-meiwaku o o-kakeshite shimai, makoto ni moushiwake gozaimasen." (We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by our oversight.)

Press release opening

"Tousha wa, XX-nen XX-gatsu XX-nichi yori, atarashii saabisu YY no teikyou o kaishi itashimashita." (Our company has launched a new service YY effective XX/XX/XXXX.)

Internal town hall opening

"Wagasha wa kongo, XX no ryouiki ni okeru riidaa o mezashite shinka shite ikimasu." (Our company will evolve toward becoming a leader in the XX domain going forward.)

Strategy memo introduction

"Jisha no kyousou yui o saikouchiku suru tame ni, ika no san-ten o teigi suru." (To rebuild our competitive advantage, the following three points are proposed.)

Closing line of a formal letter

"Heisha ichidou, kongo to mo nani-tozo yoroshiku o-negai moushiagemasu." (All of us at our company kindly ask for your continued favor going forward.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even Japanese native speakers stumble on these. Knowing the typical pitfalls helps you sidestep them.

Mixing heisha and tousha in the same document

Inconsistency reads as carelessness. Pick one register for a given document and stay with it. A press release that opens with tousha but slips into heisha in the third paragraph signals that the writer was not paying attention.

Using heisha when speaking to internal colleagues

Heisha is for external audiences. Using it in a team meeting can feel awkwardly formal, almost as if you do not recognize you are speaking with your own colleagues. Use tousha or wagasha internally.

Adding sama after heisha or tousha

"Heisha-sama" and "tousha-sama" are incorrect because you do not honor your own side. Sama elevates the other party; applying it to yourself reverses the etiquette.

Saying wagasha to a client

Wagasha can come across as proud or even boastful when said to someone outside the company. Save it for internal moments where shared identity is the point.

Using heisha when you are not actually employed

Freelancers and contractors should avoid heisha when speaking about a client company. Refer to the company by name or use kochira (our side) more neutrally.

Forgetting to switch to tousha in legal text

Contracts and terms of service should not use heisha; the deferential tone undermines the authoritative register. Switch to tousha when the document is a formal statement.

Spoken Versus Written Choices

The medium shapes the term. Here is a clearer breakdown.

Spoken contexts

Conversation, phone calls, and video meetings favor heisha (with external parties) or tousha/wagasha (internally). Avoid heavily literary terms like shousha in spoken contexts — they sound stilted.

Written contexts

Emails, documents, contracts, and reports give you the full range. Heisha and tousha are the most common; jisha and wagasha appear depending on tone; shousha fits niche publishing-industry correspondence.

Hybrid contexts like Slack and chat

Internal chat tools sit between speech and writing. Tousha works in announcements; for casual team chat, many companies simply use the team name or watashitachi (we). Reading the existing tone in your channels is the best guide.

Referring to People and Departments Within Your Company

The same etiquette of humility applies when mentioning colleagues, departments, and leadership in external communications.

Mentioning a colleague to a client

Drop honorifics from your colleague's name when speaking to an outsider: "Heisha no Tanaka ga go-renraku itashimasu" (Tanaka from our company will be in touch). Inside the company, you would say "Tanaka-san" to or about the same person, but the rules flip externally.

Mentioning your boss to a client

Same rule: drop honorifics for your manager when speaking to outsiders. "Heisha no buchou no Yamada" (Yamada, the department head of our company) is correct; "Yamada-buchou" with honorifics would sound presumptuous in front of a client.

Referring to a department

"Heisha eigyou-bu" (our sales department) or "Tousha kaihatsu honbu" (our development division). Mix with heisha or tousha based on register. Avoid "heisha-sama no eigyou-bu" or other overformal mashups.

Referring to the CEO

When speaking externally about your CEO, use just the family name and "daihyou" or full title without sama: "Heisha daihyou no Tanaka" (Tanaka, the representative of our company).

Industry-Specific Variations

Some industries use specialized terms for self-reference. Knowing these can help you blend in or recognize them when you encounter them.

Banking

Banks use tougyou (当行) for neutral self-reference and heigyou (弊行) for humble self-reference. "Tougyou no kin'yuu shouhin" (our bank's financial products), "heigyou to itashimashite wa" (we at our bank). The pattern mirrors heisha/tousha but with the gyou (行) character indicating a bank.

Hospitals and medical institutions

Hospitals use touin (当院) and heiin (弊院). Doctors and administrators write "Touin no shinryou hoshin" (our hospital's care policy) and similar.

Schools and universities

Schools use tougakkou (当校) or hongakuen (本学園) depending on the institution type. Universities lean on hondaigaku (本大学) or just hongaku (本学). Match the term to the institution's self-designation.

Government and public sector

Government offices use touchou (当庁) for agencies, toushou (当省) for ministries, and similar variations. The humble forms exist but are used less frequently because public-sector communications often stay neutral.

Law firms and consulting

Law firms often use toujimusho (当事務所) or heijimusho (弊事務所). Consulting firms typically default to heisha or tousha.

Formal Versus Casual Written Registers

Within writing itself, register matters. The same content can read very differently depending on which term you choose and how you build sentences around it.

Formal letter style

Formal letters traditionally use heisha and pair it with full keigo throughout. "Heisha no kongo no go-keiei ni okerareteku no ni atari" (in considering the future management of our company). This style is the standard for executive correspondence.

Modern email style

Modern emails simplify the keigo but keep heisha. "Heisha no XX desu" (this is XX from our company), "Heisha kara go-renraku sashiagemasu" (we will reach out from our company).

Slack and chat

Internal chat tools use much lighter registers. Tousha appears in announcements; otherwise, just say "watashitachi" (we) or use the team name. Heisha rarely appears in internal chat.

Quick Comparison Table

Here is a compact summary of when each term shines and when to avoid it.

Heisha (弊社) — Humble. External communications, clients, customer support, sales, emails. Avoid internally.

Tousha (当社) — Neutral. Press releases, contracts, internal memos, policies. Works almost anywhere.

Jisha (自社) — Descriptive. Analysis, strategy, comparisons, technical context. Avoid in deferential client speech.

Wagasha (我が社) — Proud/internal. Speeches, town halls, culture documents. Avoid with external audiences.

Shousha (小社) — Niche humble. Publishing, traditional industries. Avoid in modern corporate context.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use heisha in an interview at another company?

It is technically usable but feels awkward because you are speaking deferentially about a company that is not the interviewer's company. Most candidates avoid the issue by saying "genshoku" (current employer) or the company's actual name.

Is tousha too cold for a client email?

It depends on the tone you want. Tousha is neutral, so it does not signal humility. If you want to keep the relationship warm and deferential, use heisha. If the email is a factual update where neutrality matters, tousha is fine.

Can I use wagasha in writing?

Yes, in internal documents like culture handbooks, mission statements, and CEO messages. Avoid wagasha in external materials where it can read as boastful.

Is jisha rude?

Not rude, but it lacks deference. Use jisha when you need analytical clarity, not when you are showing respect to a client.

What about international companies operating in Japan?

Same rules apply. Even global firms operating in Japan follow the heisha/tousha conventions when communicating in Japanese. The choice signals cultural fluency.

Do I need to use these terms in spoken English?

No. "We" or "our company" covers all the registers when you are speaking English. The fine-grained distinction is specific to Japanese.

How do startups handle this?

Younger Japanese startups often default to heisha externally and tousha internally, occasionally using watashitachi (we) for casual internal warmth. Wagasha is less common in startup culture, which tends to favor flatter, less formal registers.

What if my company is very small or solo?

Solo founders and very small companies can still use heisha externally — it remains the polite default. Some prefer kochira (our side) or watashidomo (we) for a less corporate feel.

Summary: Master the Right Term for Every Moment

Choosing how to refer to your own company in Japanese is less about memorizing rules and more about reading the moment. With external clients, default to heisha. In policy or legal documents, switch to tousha. For analysis, reach for jisha. When you want to rally a team, wagasha lands well. In publishing or traditional industries, shousha shows you understand the conventions.

Five things to remember: First, heisha is your safe humble choice with anyone outside the company. Second, tousha is your neutral default for documents and policies. Third, jisha works for analytical and comparative contexts. Fourth, wagasha is internal and aspirational. Fifth, consistency within a single document matters more than picking the "best" term — pick one, commit, and the reader will follow your tone.

For the companion piece on how to address other people's companies (onsha, kisha, and industry-specific variants), see "How to Say 'Your Company' in Japanese: Spoken and Written Etiquette." Mastering both sides of the conversation gives you the full toolkit for confident Japanese business communication.