Translation guide
A formal salutation used at the beginning of a letter or email when the recipient's name is unknown. In Japanese, the approach is different; you typically use a generic department or title, or a set phrase indicating you are addressing the responsible person.
To Whom It May Concern (in a business email)
Most common and natural equivalent.
The writer needs to address a letter or email to an unspecified person or department, typically in a business or official context.
To Whom It May Concern, nice to meet you. I am Tanaka from ABC Corporation.
Literally 'To all concerned parties'. Similar to 担当者各位 but slightly broader, used when addressing a group of stakeholders or relevant persons. Common in announcements or circulars.
To all concerned, thank you for your continued support.
Literally 'Dear person in charge'. A polite and direct salutation, often used in emails when you know there is a specific department but not the individual's name. Slightly more personal than 各位.
Dear Sir/Madam, thank you for your assistance. I am writing regarding the quotation from the other day.
A traditional opening greeting in formal Japanese letters, similar to 'Dear Sir/Madam' but used only in very formal, often handwritten correspondence. It is followed by seasonal greetings and then the main text. Not used in emails.
Dear Sir/Madam, I hope this letter finds you well as the warm spring weather arrives.
There is no direct word-for-word translation of 'To Whom It May Concern' in Japanese. Using a literal translation like それが関係する方へ would be unnatural and confusing. Always use a set phrase like 担当者各位 or ご担当者様.
To whom it may concern (literal, unnatural)
各位 (かくい) is used to address multiple people or an unspecified group, like 'To all concerned'. 様 (さま) is a honorific suffix for an individual. ご担当者様 addresses a single unknown person politely, while 担当者各位 addresses the department or team as a whole. In most business emails, 担当者各位 is safe and common.