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.
The writer needs to address a letter or email to an unspecified person or department, typically in a business or official context.
Literally 'To all persons in charge'. This is the most common and natural equivalent in business correspondence when you don't know the specific recipient. It is polite and widely used in emails and letters.
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.
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.