If you have spent any significant time in a Japanese office, you have likely encountered the word tashou. On its own, it’s a standard term meaning ‘some’ or ‘a little.’ However, when a manager or colleague appends mou (already/more) to it, the phrase mou-tashou creates a linguistic tightrope walk. It isn’t just about quantity; it is about expectations regarding time, effort, and completion.
In the high-pressure environment of Tokyo corporate life, mou-tashou is rarely used to imply a precise measurement. Instead, it is the language of the ‘buffer.’ When your boss asks for a report update and mentions, ‘Mou-tashou, yoroshiku ne,’ they are effectively signaling that while the bulk of the work should be done, there is a lingering requirement—a ‘little bit more’ polish or effort needed—that you ought to have anticipated.
Manager: ‘The proposal is coming along, but we need mou-tashou on the data charts.’
Meaning: ‘The charts are incomplete or insufficient. You need to put in extra effort without me having to give you explicit, step-by-step instructions.’
This is where many foreign professionals trip up. They interpret mou-tashou as a casual suggestion of minor adjustments. In reality, it is a polite prod—a classic example of the Japanese art of indirect feedback. If you don’t ‘get’ the hint, it can lead to frustrating project delays.
Common Mistakes
The most frequent error is taking the ‘little’ part literally. In Japan, mou-tashou can sometimes be a soft way of saying, ‘The current work is not yet up to standard, so please refine the whole thing.’ Another common trap is the assumption that mou-tashou implies a time extension. It almost never does. If you are behind on shinchoku (progress reporting), using mou-tashou to justify further delays will likely be met with silence or polite concern.
The Cultural Subtext
Unlike Western feedback that prioritizes directness, mou-tashou relies on the expectation that you are attuned to the ‘vibe’ of the project. It is closely related to the practice of tashikame—the habit of verifying and re-verifying details to avoid disaster. To a Japanese colleague, failing to address the mou-tashou requirements is seen as a lack of kuuki-yomu (reading the room), which is often more damaging than the error itself.
By treating mou-tashou not as a suggestion, but as an implicit deadline for quality control, you demonstrate the level of dedication that is highly valued in Japanese team dynamics. It is about proving that you don’t just finish the task; you finish it to the degree that matches the unstated standards of the group.
