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You’ll use this when you are the one taking charge. It’s a very active phrase. You can use it with the particle o to show what you are doing. For example, Atarashii kikaku o tateru (I’m planning a new project). It sounds organized and proactive. It’s great for showing you have leadership or initiative. Just remember, it’s about the *creation* of the plan, not the execution.

This is your go-to phrase in the office. Use it during meetings when discussing new marketing campaigns or product launches. It’s also perfect for social life! Use it when you’re organizing a surprise birthday party or a group hike. If you’re at a restaurant and someone says, 'We should do this again,' you can reply, 'I’ll plan the next one!' using this phrase. It makes you sound like the person who gets things done.

Don’t use this for tiny, everyday decisions. If you’re just deciding what to have for lunch, kikaku o tateru is way too dramatic. You’d sound like you’re launching a corporate lunch initiative! Also, don't use it for simple personal intentions like 'I plan to sleep early.' For that, use tsumori. This phrase is for structured events or business-like projects. Using it for a nap would be pretty funny, though.

Japan is a culture that deeply values the 'preparation' phase. A well-thought-out kikaku (proposal/plan) is the foundation of any successful venture. In Japanese companies, the kikakusho (planning document) is a work of art. It shows you’ve considered every detail. By using this phrase, you’re tapping into that cultural respect for thoroughness and foresight. It’s not just a 'plan'; it’s a commitment to a vision.

You might hear kikaku o neru, which means to 'knead' or polish a plan. That’s for when the basic idea is there, but you’re refining it. There’s also kikaku ga tooru, which means your plan was officially approved. If you’re feeling casual, you might just say kikaku suru (to plan/projectize). But tateru adds that nice nuance of building something from the ground up.