The Culture of “Bonenkai” in Japan

In Japan, it’s common for companies, colleagues, and friends to gather in late December for a party called “bonenkai,” which literally means “a gathering to forget the year.”

The idea is to leave behind the stress, mistakes, and challenges of the past twelve months and start the new year with a refreshed mindset. Typically held at izakaya-style restaurants, bonenkai offer a relaxed atmosphere where people can talk more freely than they usually do at work.
It’s similar to holiday office parties in the U.S., but with a stronger emphasis on reflection and “resetting” for the coming year. For many Japanese people, bonenkai are an important tradition that closes the year with appreciation, camaraderie, and a bit of celebration.

日本の「忘年会」文化

日本にほんでは年末ねんまつになると、多おおくの会社かいしゃや友人ゆうじんグループが「忘年会（ぼうねんかい）」という食事会しょくじかいを開ひらきます。
これは一年いちねんの苦労くろうをねぎらい、嫌いやなことを“忘わすれて”新あたしい”年とし“を迎むかえるための会かい（集あつまり）です。
一般的いっぱんてきには居酒屋いざかやで飲のんだり食たべたりしながら、仕事しごとではあまり話はなさない人ひととも気軽きがるに交流こうりゅうできるリラックスした場ばになります。
アメリカのホリデーパーティーに似にていますが、より「一年いちねんを労ねぎらう」「リセットする」という意味いみが強つよいのが特徴とくちょうです。日本人にほんじんにとって忘年会ぼうねんかいは、忙いそがしい一年いちねんを締しめくくり、仲間なかまとの絆きずなを深ふかめる大切たいせつな年末行事ねんまつぎょうじなのです。

”Bonenkai” is a great opportunity which you can casually chat over drinks with executives from other departments or even the company president.
Having “bonenkai” with friends is also a lot of fun.
It’s a great chance for us to get together despite everyone being busy and working hard in their own jobs.