The official language of Japan is Japanese, with approximately 99% of the population speaking Japanese as their first language.  The Japanese language is distinguished by a system on honorifics that reflect the hierarchical nature of Japanese society.  Japanese language incorporates many foreign elements.  There are three distinct writing styles: hiragana, katakana and kanji.  Most kanji are derived from the Chinese language.  Other non-Japanese words are generally written in katakana, with hiragana being used for Japanese words and grammatical markers. 

Common Japanese phrases  Pronunciation guide

Japanese	English
Hai	Yes
Iie	No
Onegai shimasu	Please
Arigato	Thank-you
Doitashimashite	You’re welcome
Sumimasen	Excuse me
Gomennasai	I’m sorry
Ohayo gozaimasu	Good morning
Konbanwa	Good evening
Oyasuminasai	Good night
Eigo o hanasemasuka	Do you speak English?
Kokoni eigo o hanaseru hito wa imasu ka	Does anyone here speak English?
Watashi wa nihongo ga sukoshi shika hanasemasen	I only speak a little Japanese
Onamae wa nan desu ka	What is your name?
Watashi no namae wa … desu	My name is …
Ogenki desu ka	How are you?
Genki desu	I’m fine thanks
Wakarimasen	I don’t understand
Wakarimasu	I understand
Motto yukkuri hanashite kudasai	Can you speak slower please