how to write resume in japan

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How to write a Japanese resume: The only guide you need + Free PDF template

Are you an international job hunter looking to find new career opportunities in Japan ? Take note! One of the first things you can do to make your job application stand out in Japan is to write a good Japanese resume, also known as rirekisho (履歴書).

That’s why today we will show you exactly how to write a Japanese resume that will get you your dream job.

The global economy opens up wonderful opportunities for international employment seekers. But with it also come differences from one culture’s expectations on resumes to another.

Don’t just throw together an English resume and hope for the best when applying abroad. A Japanese resume, or rirekisho, is vastly different from an English resume. You’ll need to get ahead of the competition by brushing up on what is expected here! 

In this blog post, we’ll explain the nuances between an English-style resume and Japan’s rirekisho so you can craft yours like a pro! You can also read our  guide on the steps to start working in Japan.

The Basics of a Japanese Resume and Rirekisho

First, let’s start with the basics. An English resume is a document used to present your skills, experience, and qualifications to a potential employer in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

It typically includes sections such as personal information, education, work experience, skills, and achievements. The goal of an English resume is to highlight your strengths and accomplishments and make a strong case for why you’re the best candidate for the job.

On the other hand, a rirekisho (履歴書) — which translates to “personal history sheet” — is a standardized form used in Japan. It includes personal information, education, work history, and a photograph.

The rirekisho is often accompanied by a shokumu keirekisho (職務経歴書), which is a separate document that more closely resembles an English resume as it provides a more detailed account of your work history and responsibilities.

Like an English resume, submitting a Japanese resume is the first step of the hiring process. If you pass the screening section, you will be contacted for an interview. For foreigners, this is where your potential employers see how can deliver an answer with confidence and proper Japanese.

Check out our guide to answer common Japanese job interview questions here!

Now that we’ve established the basics, let’s dive deeper into the specific differences between an English resume and a Japanese rirekisho.

The English Resume: A Quick Breakdown

• The Japanese Rirekisho as Compared to the English Resume
• Format and Length
• Personal Information
• Work Experience
• Skills and Qualifications
• Download Free Japanese Resume Template
• Cultural Norms
• Rirekisho vs. Shokumukeirekisho

In the English-speaking world, the standard format for a resume is a one or two-page document. Here’s a brief overview of the titled resume sections:

One of the key features of the English resume is its brevity. Employers in the English-speaking world tend to prefer resumes that are concise, focused, and easy to read.

They’re looking for candidates who can distill complex information into a few key points and demonstrate their value clearly and straightforwardly.

That being said, even if you’re in Japan, there are times when you might submit an English resume instead of a Japanese rirekisho. This is particularly true if you’re applying for English-speaking jobs in Japan that don’t require a lot of Japanese, such as English teachers or recruiters .

The Japanese Resume as Compared to the English Resume

In Japan, the standard format for a resume is known as a rirekisho. Unlike the English resume, which is typically one or two pages, the rirekisho is always a two-page document that was traditionally filled out by hand.

Now, it’s common and acceptable to type resumes (that’s such a lifesaver for those of us who struggle to write kanji freehand and neatly).

Passed the screening — and moving on to the first round of interviews? Check out 10 useful phrases for a Japanese job interview.

Format and Length of Japanese Resume

One of the most notable differences between an English resume and a Japanese rirekisho is its format. The format of an English resume is more flexible than that of a Japanese rirekisho.

Resumes can be presented in a variety of styles, including chronological, functional, and combination formats. They can also be any length, although most employers prefer resumes that are no longer than two pages.

On the other hand, the format of a rikishi is standardized and strict, and there is only one accepted format on A4-sized paper. In a rirekisho, the sections are not titled, and bullet points are not used.

Nevertheless, they are organized into clearly marked areas for personal information, education, work history, and a photograph.

1. Personal Information and Photo

Both an English resume and a Japanese rirekisho require personal information, but the level of detail and what is considered important differs between the two.

In an English resume, personal information is usually limited to your name, address, phone number, and email address. In some cases, you may also include your LinkedIn profile or other professional social media accounts.

However, it’s important to remember that you should never include personal details such as your age, marital status, or religion, as this is considered inappropriate and workplaces can be considered discriminatory for using that as criteria to assess your candidacy.

However, in a rirekisho, personal information includes:

Also, more detailed information is required such as your marital status and even your blood type may be on the rirekisho! In Japan, it is common for employers to request this information, as they believe it helps them to get a better sense of who they are as a person.

Photograph (写真・shashin)

One of the most significant differences between an English resume and a Japanese rirekisho is the inclusion of a photograph. In Japan, it is common to include a photograph with your rirekisho, whereas it is not common to do so in an English resume.

The photograph should be a professional headshot, and it is important to dress in a nice shirt and suit jacket and present yourself in a professional manner. You should opt for normal suit colors like black, navy blue or gray.

The photograph should be recent and clearly show your face. You can either crop a photo digitally to fit the required size or you can get a photo taken and printed at photo booths all across Japan (i.e. outside of supermarkets, in convenience stores and in train stations) for 500-600 yen.

2. Education and Work Experience

Education (学歴・gakureki).

Both an English resume and a Japanese rirekisho require information about your education, but there are some differences in what is expected.

In an English resume, you typically list your educational history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent degree.

You include the name of the institution, your degree, and the date you received it. You may also include any relevant coursework, awards, or honors.

In a rirekisho, you are expected to provide more detailed information about your education, including the name of the institution, the department you studied in, your major, and the dates you attended.

You may also include any relevant coursework, awards, or honors, but it is not as common as it is in an English resume.

Work Experience (職歴・shokureki)

In an English resume, work experience, or professional experience, is typically organized in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job.

You include the name of the company, your job title, the dates you worked there, and your key responsibilities and achievements.

It is common to use bullet points to concisely summarize key responsibilities and make them easy to read.

In a rirekisho, work experience is organized in a slightly different way. You still list your previous jobs in reverse chronological order. This includes the name of the company, your job title, and the dates you worked there.

You may also include information about the size of the company (how many employees), the size of the department or team you were assigned to and the industry it operates in.

However, Japanese resumes do not include your responsibilities and achievements in previous companies.

3. Special Skills, Certifications or Licenses: 資格・免許 (Shikaku and Menkyo)

In an English resume, you typically include a section that highlights your key skills and qualifications. This section can include both technical and soft skills, as well as any relevant certifications or licenses you hold. It is important to tailor this section to the specific job you are applying for.

In a rirekisho, there is also a special skills and licenses section. Here, you’ll input the name of the license or skill and the year you acquired it. You might also include any JLPT qualifications since that can be official proof of your Japanese proficiency.

For Japanese companies, JLPT N2 or N1 is typically desirable. You can even include your driver’s license. If you don’t have anything to include in this section, you can write “特になし”.

4. Personal PR and Appeal Points (志望の動機、特技、好きな学科、アピールポイント)

This section is basically where you can list anything else that you feel is interesting about yourself and/or relevant to the job you’re applying to.

志望の動機 (shibou no douki) is “motivation for applying”, and you want to do your best to catch the employer’s eye here.

特技 (tokugi) is “special skills”, while 好きな学科 is interests or hobbies.

アピールポイント (apiiru point) is appeal points, and these are pretty similar to special skills and hobbies. If you have more to add here, just try to tie it into how these points can benefit the company.

5. Commute Time, Family Situation and Other Details

Sections 4 and 5 in other rirekisho templates you find online may differ from the ones here.

Section 5 as pictured above asks for details such as commute time (通勤時間・tsuukin jikan) and anything else you may think is relevant. While not explicitly written, you could include your family situation. Here would be some terms to include or look out for:

Spouse (配偶者 or haiguusha) : If you have a spouse, circle “yes” (有・ari). If you aren’t married, circle “no” (無・nashi)

Spouse obligation (配偶者の扶養義務 or haiguusha no fuyou jinmu) : If your spouse is supported by your income, circle “yes” (有). If not, circle “no” (無)

Number of Dependents (not including spouse): 扶養家族 (配偶者を除く) . Input how many people you support on your income. For example, if you have two children, you would write “2” or “2人” here.

6. Personal Request: 本人希望記入欄 (honnin kibou kinyuuran)

This section of your rirekisho is dedicated specify any specific requests related to your preferred salary, job type, working hours, work location, or any other preferences that you have for your ideal job. This section allows you to clearly set your expectations and preferences for potential employers.

In most cases, you might not have any specific requests or requirements. In this case, you can just write:

貴社の規定に従います。 Kisha no kitei ni shitagaimasu. Comply with company’s regulations.

Example of a Japanese Resume

Download Your Free Japanese Resume Template (with Example)

Cultural norms of japanese resume.

The differences between an English resume and a Japanese rirekisho can mostly be attributed to cultural norms. In Japan, there is a strong emphasis on personal relationships and social hierarchy.

As a result, the rirekisho includes a photo of the applicant, which is not typically included in English resumes.

In Japan, it is also common for employers to place a high value on a candidate’s personality and character, which they feel is reflected in the content of the rirekisho.

In English-speaking countries, there is generally less emphasis placed on personal relationships and social hierarchy. Resumes are typically evaluated based on the applicant’s qualifications and accomplishments, rather than their personality or character.

As a result, English resumes tend to focus more on the applicant’s professional experience, education and skills.

Rirekisho vs Shokumukeirekisho

At the start of this post, I mentioned a rirekisho and a shokumukeirekisho. Both are related to job applications, but I wanted to briefly discuss their differences.

As you now know, a rirekisho is a standard Japanese resume that includes information such as the applicant’s name, contact information, education background, work experience, skills, and other personal information. It is required by most employers as part of the application process.

On the other hand, a shokumukeirekisho (職務経歴書) is a document that focuses specifically on an individual’s work experience and job history.

It is also used in Japan for job applications but is typically required for more specialized positions or positions that require a certain level of expertise.

A shokumukeirekisho includes details such as the applicant’s job titles, dates of employment, responsibilities and achievements, and any relevant skills or certifications.

So in summary, both rirekisho and shokumukeirekisho are used in job applications in Japan.

However, while rirekisho is a more general resume, shokumukeirekisho is a more specialized document that gets into more specific work experiences and job histories.

In conclusion, while both an English resume and a Japanese rirekisho serve the same purpose of highlighting your skills and qualifications to potential employers, they still won’t guarantee a job offer.

When applying for a job in Japan, it is important to understand the cultural expectations around a rirekisho and do well during your interview rounds.

Of course, you want to accurately showcase your experience and skills in an acceptable way to give yourself the best chance of securing the role you want! 

Hopefully, this article shed some light on how to craft a rirekisho as opposed to an English resume.

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We also have classes for intermediate and advanced students. If you’re interested, contact our friendly staff by filling out the form below, and we’ll get in touch as soon as possible!

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How is Japanese resume different from English resume?

In Japan, the standard format for a resume is known as a rirekisho. Unlike the English resume, which is typically one or two pages, the rirekisho is always a two-page document that was traditionally filled out by hand but is now common and acceptable to be typed. Japanese resumes also do not include your job scope and your achievements in previous companies

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Writing a Japanese Resume: A Comprehensive Guide

• June 3, 2022

Applying for a job means writing a resume tailored specifically for the position. Japan as a country and society has many unique aspects, and writing a Japanese resume is one of them.

Though there are two major hiring seasons , early spring and late summer, it’s never too late to start perfecting your resume.

In Japan, a resume is referred to as a ​rirekishou (履歴書). It means background information, and it’s a formal document with a strict structure that can sometimes be very different than western resumes.

Being aware of the different fundamental expectations of a ​rirekishou​ can be the difference between an unsuccessful application and an invitation to a job interview.

Rirekishou​ (Japanese resume template) can be purchased at convenience stores and stationery shops for less than 300 yen for a set of 3, including A4-sized white envelopes.

Templates can also be downloaded for free ​here ​.

There’s an unspoken rule that a ​rirekishou​ must be handwritten by hand with black or blue ink , with no use of correction tape. If any mistakes are made, the form must be re-written again. For those that cannot speak or write Japanese yet, this can be the most challenging and frustrating part of the process as many Japanese companies place importance on a handwritten resume. However, due to increased applications from foreign residents and exchange students, hiring boards have become more open to accepting ​rirekishou​ that have been typed on a computer.

Whether you handwrite your resume or type it out on a word processor, each section of the ​rirekishou has specific rules on how it should be filled out.

This comprehensive guide will take you to step by step in creating a Japanese resume that will impress future employers!

Personal Information

The first section of any ​rirekishou​ will require you to fill in details such as your name, birth date, age, gender, residential address, email added, and phone number.

It’s pretty straightforward, but there are a few things to keep in mind, such as:

• Name – In Japanese, the surname comes first, then the first name follows. Unless you have a Japanese name written in Kanji, use katakana. If you’re unsure how to write your name in katakana, you can use this English-to-Japanese name converter​ to help you out.
• Dates – All dates should be written using the Japanese ​nengo​ calendar. Simply put, the nengo calendar is the name of the era named after the current Japanese emperor of that time. You can use this ​converter​ to check what your birthdate is in Japanese. Another thing to note is that Japanese dates are written opposite Western countries – Year, Month, and Day.
• Address – Often, there are two lines for writing an address, ​現住所​ (current address) and​ ​連絡先​ ​(additional contact address). The order of how addresses are written in Japanese differs entirely from how they are written in Western countries. Whether the address is Japanese or foreign, they should all have readings written above or in the space provided in hiragana or katakana. Addresses should be written in the following order: Post Code, Prefecture, Ward/City, Town, OO Choume, OO Ban, OO Go If you’re applying with a foreign residential address, think largest to smallest when writing out your address. For example, the address to Disneyland Park in Florida would be as follows: USA, CA 92802, Anaheim, 1313 Disneyland Drive.
• Phone Number – For those applicants who don’t have a Japanese phone number, you can purchase a fixed-line number on Skype as an alternative option.

In the top right section of a Japanese resume, there is always a blank square reserved for a photo. Attaching a photo to a Japanese CV is not a common practice abroad. In fact, in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S, it’s often frowned upon as it can result in discrimination based on gender, skin color, appearance, etc. However, attaching a professional headshot is a compulsory part of a ​rirekishou​.

This will be the first time hiring managers will be seeing you before the interview, so put your best foot forward and make a positive first impression by dressing conservatively as if attending a job interview. Men typically wear a dark-colored suit and a tie with tidy hair. Women should ensure their make-up is natural-looking, and those with long hair should have it tied up. The headshot should be a passport-sized photo taken with a clear background.

There are photo booths throughout Japan that specialize in taking photos of just the right size for Japanese resumes and passports for less than 700 yen. Much like the ​purikura booths, they can remove any redness or blemishes on your skin and will print out a set of photos within a few minutes.

Academic Record ​学歴

Most ​rirekishou​ templates will have two separate sections for the academic and work history (​学 歴​ and 職歴​).

Some templates will combine the sections; in that case, start by writing​ 学歴​ in the top center line. Immediately below the header, you can begin writing your academic information in chronological order, from oldest to most recent. resume writing compared

It’s common to start with your high school graduation date, but if you have an extensive academic history (master’s, doctorate, second degree, etc.), you can omit it. Each school should have two lines dedicated to it, the first showing the date of enrollment and the second for graduation. Write down the country and school name. If applicable, you can also add the program title and level.

To list a graduation thesis, you should insert it ​between the enrollment and graduation lines. If necessary, a line can be inserted between the enrollment and graduation lines to list majors and minors. For tertiary education, make sure also to write down the faculty and department.

The format to use will look something like this: 学校名、学部、(学科)入学・卒業 (国)

Take note of how the date is written. In contrast to countries such as the USA, UK, Australia, etc., the date is recorded in reverse chronological order -Year, Month. The year can be written either using the Japanese ​nengo​ system or the Gregorian calendar. Try to stick with one system throughout your resume.

At the end of this section, on the right side of the following line, don’t forget to write ​以上 (end of entry).

Here’s an example of​ the education background 学歴​ ​section:

Employment history ​職歴.

Again if the academic record and employment history sections are combined, leave one line empty after the academic record entries and write ​職歴​ ​in the middle of the following line. Similar to the previous section, your employment history should also be written chronologically from oldest to newest positions. Do not include part-time jobs in this section.

Two lines should be dedicated per job, one for when you started the position and one for when you left the company. It would be best to write a concise description of your previous roles. You don’t need to elaborate on the duties and responsibilities of your previous jobs, as they are often discussed during the interview stage. However, it’s essential to state the reasons for leaving a previous position.

Here are three practical and commonly used expressions for explaining them:

• 一身上の都合により退職 (left for personal reasons)
• 契約期間満了につき退社 (contract ended)
• 会社都合により退社 (left for company reasons)

But if you are still currently working at that company, write​ 現在に至る​. If you have no work experience, you can write​ 無し​. Unlike most English-speaking countries abroad, having no experience can be a disadvantage, but traditional Japanese companies tend to favor those applicants without any previous experience. This makes it easier for the company to train potential employees in its ways and culture. Grad students and entry-level applicants can use this section to demonstrate any relevant internships or voluntary activities they have been involved in which may benefit the open position. There’s no need to write a reason for leaving or quitting such programs.

To end this section, write ​以上​ (end of entry) on the following line.

Here’s an example of ​the employment history 職歴​ ​section:

Be sure to use the company’s official name and not its commercial name. If you are unsure, you can check it out on the company website or Wikipedia if it’s a well-known company.

Be prepared to answer any questions regarding why you left any previous position during the interview stage. Regardless of your reasons, do not badmouth previous employers . Japanese companies will not see this in a favorable light.

Qualifications and Licenses​ 免許・資格

This section lists any qualifications, licenses, or certificates you have accumulated in your professional career. It’s recommended to mention only those that are relevant and practical to the position you’re applying for. Foreign applicants can take advantage of this section by mentioning their JLPT certification, Kanji Kanken level, or Japanese driving license .

Japanese companies will be impressed by the effort the applicant has put into their education to improve their career.

The only exception is that your university degree should not be listed here.

Reason for application ​志望動機

This is the most critical part of the ​rirekishou​ and can make or break your application. In this section, there’s more room for creativity and showing your personal interests and special skills.

To make the best impression on the hiring manager, keep these three main points in mind while writing your reasons for applying for the position.

• Be sure to add details specific to the position you are applying for, connecting them to your strengths, experiences, and accomplishments.
• Express how your career has developed over time and where you hope to take it. Recruiters are interested in applicants that will stay with the company and fully engage in company projects and goals.
• Try to talk about the characteristics of the company and how you would fit in well within the company. You can find out more about the company by looking at the job description or the company website.

When writing your reasons for applying, try to be aware of how you come off to the hiring manager. If you mention wanting to gain specific skills at the company, it can give off the impression that you’re simply using the company as a step-up for your career.

Traditional Japanese companies with long histories, in particular, do not like it when their employees use them as a stepping stone for a better position offered in another company. These companies prefer to hire employees who will stay working for them for the rest of their natural lives.

If you’re applying for a specific position, look closely at the information provided about the job opening. They will often mention what makes the ideal candidate.

You should try to include these qualities in your application to stand out amongst a sea of applicants.

Requests and Miscellaneous Information

There are various Japanese resume templates, some emphasizing skills or work history, but all will include a custom section where you can indicate any of the following:

Commuting Time ​通勤時間

In this section, you can fill in your maximum desired commuting time. Keep in mind that in urban centers like Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, it’s common to have an hour’s commute from home to the office.

Marital Status​ 配偶者

If you’re uncomfortable offering this information, it’s acceptable to leave it blank as it’s not necessary.

Number of Dependents ​扶養者

If you have a spouse (配偶者) or a partner you need to support (配偶者の扶養義務), you can mention them here.

Expectations/Requests​ 本人希望記入欄

The final section of a ​rirekishou​ is another personalized section where you can state your expectations of the new role. Applicants can throw in a ballpark of what they hope to earn salary-wise, working hours, position, office location (if various offices are available), etc.

It’s recommended to at least write something in this section. You can at least write ​勤務条件は貴社の 規定に従います​ ​which means you are willing to negotiate or accept the conditions offered by the company during the interview stage. Leaving it blank can display a lack of interest in the position and company.

To Conclude about Japanese Resume

After filling out your ​rireskisou, ​ place it in an A4 or B5 white envelope. The form should ​not​ be folded!

Other Notes

If you’re sending in your resume by email, it’s best to convert it to a PDF file. This will ensure that the format stays clean. You can change a Word document to PDF easily. Simply select “Save As” and choose PDF for the file type below the document name.

Suppose you choose to handwrite your Japanese resume and double-check for errors. If there are any, ​do not​ use correction fluid, tape, or cross the mistake out. This will not only look sloppy but also give off the impression that you don’t care about the job and company you’re applying to!

If you’re applying to a foreign or international company with a base in Japan , sending in both a Japanese-style and a Western-style resume is recommended. ​ Sending in two styles shows your dedication and interest in the open position and understanding of the Japanese working culture. American hiring managers are known to skip over applicants that only send in a ​rirekishou.

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Get job alerts, how to craft a great "rirekisho", or japanese resume [with template].

Updated September 5, 2023

Japan Dev Team

Japan Dev contributor

• Interviews & Resumes
• Career Development

Before you apply for any jobs, the first step you’ll need to take is to create or update your resume. After all, your resume is the first impression you’ll leave before recruiters even get to meet you in person. 

You might think that the content of your resume plays the biggest role here, but if you want to snag that interview, it’s also important to have a well-written and correctly formatted resume. 

If the content is lacking, you can always make things shine a bit brighter with the right formatting. If the content is stellar, you don’t want it to go unnoticed. Either way, knowing how to correctly format your resume can help you tremendously.

But what if there isn’t one, unified resume format that’s “the right one?”

Unfortunately, this is the case with resumes. There are countless ways to prepare a resume, and you’ll find that each country and even each industry has a “correct” template for resumes that are generally followed and required from candidates.

This is why I wanted to write about the Japanese resume “ rirekisho .” Many foreigners come to Japan looking for jobs, and most don’t even realize that their resumes are likely overlooked simply because the formatting isn’t right.

During your job hunt in Japan, if you want to have a real shot at finding a job, you’ll need a correctly formatted resume. In this article, I’ll help you understand what goes into preparing a good rirekisho and share my own template you can download and fill out.

Let’s start by explaining what the most widely accepted resume types in Japan are and what makes rirekisho different from the rest.

In this article: 📝

Accepted Resume Formats in Japan

Should i prepare an english resume or a japanese resume, how to write a japanese resume: “rirekisho”, japanese resume template download.

In general, there are two types of accepted resume formats in Japan. The first type is called “ rirekisho ” (履歴書), as I mentioned, and the second type is called “ Shokumukeirekisho ” (職務経歴書).

Essentially, rirekisho is what you’ll generally use to apply to traditional Japanese companies. Think of it as a business card — that’s how common they are in Japan.

A rirekisho is usually kept short and concise and has a bullet point or a form-like style that includes only the most crucial information about you and your career. 

As for the second type of resume, which is the shokumukeirekisho, you’ll realize that it’s more similar to a western-style CV. You have a wider opportunity to explain your experiences, talk about your interests and hobbies, etc., as it allows you to “sell” yourself better.

I’ll focus mostly on the rirekisho in this post, but if you want to know how to prepare a shokumukeirekisho , I have another post specifically for that. You can also find a good template there similar to the one I shared down below.

While the format you should follow is mostly clear, you might be confused as to whether you should prepare your CV in English or in Japanese. After all, Japan is kind of a closed-off country in terms of culture and language, which means that not everyone speaks fluent English.

Therefore, if you’re applying to a traditional Japanese company where a decent level of Japanese is required, you’ll need to prepare your resume in Japanese. 

While the times are changing, and more and more Japanese companies are opening up to receive job applications in English, you still need to keep in mind that not everyone speaks English well. 

If you send your resume in English, it might also make it seem like you don’t trust your knowledge of Japanese, which may cause recruiters to not take your application seriously. So, even if you apply with an English resume, some companies might appreciate it if you send a Japanese rirekisho in addition.  But this depends on the company.

If you’re applying to international companies such as the ones featured on the Japan Dev company list , or a recruitment agency that works internationally, you’re better off with a western-stye English resume. 

Now that we’ve cleared up the crucial parts about resumes in Japan, let’s look at how you can prepare your very own rirekisho. 

For reference, here is what the entirety of our rirekisho template looks like, which you can download below.

Let’s start by taking a closer look at the first section, which consists of your basic personal information.

1. Basic Personal Information

This first section of your resume will consist of:

Your photo,

Your date of birth and date of application,

Your address and phone number, and

Your contact information.

Resume Photo

Even though putting your photo on your resume is slowly becoming a relic of the past in the western world, the practice is still very much alive in Japan. Although this is less common in IT, it’s perfectly normal for most traditional companies to judge you by your resume photo in Japan.

Therefore, I recommend attaching a professional-looking photo where you look as presentable as possible. Make sure that your photo actually represents what you currently look like. Smiling without showing teeth is a good idea as well. 

The photo should have a plain background, and being in proper business attire can’t hurt, either. Wearing hats, piercings, or accessories that are too “out there” are all big “no-nos” in a country like Japan.

Your hair should be tidy as well, and even though a well-kept and trimmed beard probably won’t be a problem if you’re applying to IT companies, I still recommend having no facial hair if you don’t want to risk it.

Generally speaking, following the same tips for interview attire I gave in my post on top job interview questions in Japan is a good idea if you’re ever unsure.

As for the formatting, your photo should be in the standard 3 cm x 4 cm format, and it should be no older than three months. 

If you’re living in Japan, you’ll find photo booths pretty much everywhere around the business areas or train stations. You can have plenty of pictures taken in the correct format in these machines for about 600–800 JPY.

Your Date of Birth and Application Date

This one seems simple, but there are a couple of nuances. 

First of all, ensure you’re consistent with the date format throughout your whole resume. If you’re writing your birthday in the U.S. format, fill out the application date accordingly as well. 

Even though there isn’t a specific rule, if you’re applying to a traditional company, I recommend sticking with the Japanese date format, which is “year, month, day.” The day of the week or your age can also be added at the end in parentheses.

You can see this clearly in the example above — the birthday reads as 1989 年 12月 4日, and the current age is written in parentheses. 

Lastly, the application date should match the date when you’re sending the application. If you’re bringing the resume to an interview, simply write the date of the day you’re bringing the application.

Your Address and Phone Number

When filling out your address, make sure that you don’t use abbreviations, as this is deemed unprofessional. If you’re already currently living in Japan, don’t forget to start the address with the name of the prefecture you live in as well.

As for phone numbers, including only your mobile number is fine. You don’t have to provide a landline, as most people don’t even have one anymore.

Your Contact Information

As strange as it may seem, this part is usually for your alternative contact information or address. 

However, you can still fill in your email address and any other contact information you may have. Just don’t write your current work address or your address in your home country, as those will be irrelevant to the company you’re applying to.

2. Academic/Work History

In a typical rirekisho, your academic background and your work history both go in the same section. This is because recruiters like to see everything in chronological order, which is how you’ll be preparing this section.

Academic History

For the education part, it’s generally recommended to write the last two institutions you graduated from. If you’re a college graduate, write your high school and your college. If you have a master’s degree, skip high school and only write your college and master’s programs. Essentially, you want to start from your education and work your way down to the present day. 

However, there’s a slight nuance you need to watch out for. As opposed to a western-style resume, you’ll state the years you started and finished college on separate lines, as separate entries. For instance, there should be a line that reads “Entered X college/university,” and a separate line that shows your year of graduation as “Graduated from X college/university.”  

Work History

As for your work background, you should mention any full-time positions (including contract-based ones if it was your main job during a time period). Usually internships or other part-time positions should be mentioned in the other, more fitting parts of your rirekisho, such as the self-promotion or reason for application sections.  But do your best to fill the timeline so that there are no gaps.  If you did have a period where you weren’t working full-time, it can be helpful to list volunteer work or similar.

When you’ve caught up to the present day and are finished with your work experiences, make sure to include a “現在に至る,” which means “up to present day” as well. 

The correct way to end this section is by writing “以上,” which translates to something along the lines of “that’s all.” This may not make a lot of sense, but it’s a part of the format nonetheless. Speaking of format, don’t forget to make the last line aligned to the right, either.

Lastly, if you’re not sure whether you’ll also be submitting a shokumukeirekisho, which includes more detailed information, you can write the number of employees of the companies you worked for. You can also include a description of your position next to the names of each company.

Keep in mind, however, that a rirekisho normally doesn’t include such information. As I said, these details are usually found in the more detailed Japanese resume format, shokumukeirekisho, along with an explanation of how your experience relates to the job you’re applying for. 

Therefore, if you’re also going to be sending a detailed resume, avoid repeating this information twice and simply leave these details out. 

Please note, you normally don’t need a cover letter when applying primarily in Japanese with a rirekisho and shokumukeirekisho.

3. Licenses and Qualifications

This section is all about your relevant qualifications regarding the job, and you should include all certificates you may have in this section as well. 

If you have a driver’s license, make sure to include it too. It’s somewhat relevant in Japan, as people get a driver’s license even if they don’t normally drive just because it looks good on their resume.

You also want to list any skills you have that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. Language certificates can work well here as well, even if they’re not Japanese-related. You never know when a foreign language will come in handy, so don’t forget to mention it.

4. Self-Promotion and Reason For Application

In the same field as the licenses and qualifications section, you’ll also have the opportunity to do some self-promotion and talk about your motivation for applying. Let’s talk about self-promotion first.

Promoting Yourself

Essentially, this is the part where you “sell” yourself. If you have any special skills that’ll help you get the job, this is the time to talk about it. Remember to keep it concise, though. You don’t want to overcrowd your resume with fluff, which might end up affecting your application negatively.

You also need to make a choice here. After all, you won’t be preparing separate, unique resumes for each and every job listing you’re applying to. Being too specific in this section might make your resume unusable for other jobs that are perhaps not your focus but might present opportunities.

Normally, people in Japan don’t tailor their rirekisho to the exact position, so it’s OK to be a little bit more generalized.  You just want to make sure you give a good overview of your relevant skills.

For example, you can write something along the lines of, “I’d like to make use of my past experiences regarding insert your field of work here ” (営業経験を活かして、 insert your field of work here の仕事にて活躍したい) in this part, which is a common phrase used in Japanese resumes.

As this is a serious document that you’ll be sending to companies, don’t forget to use the polite form of Japanese when you’re talking about yourself in this section.

Explaining Your Reason for Application

As I said, in this same section, you also get to state why you’re applying for the job.  There might be some overlap with your Self-Promotion section though, so this isn’t strictly necessary.  It can definitely help add some context for the specific type of position you’re applying to though.

Naturally, you want to be specific here. This is sort of a challenge because a rirekisho in nature is a short, brief “form” that you fill out, but you also want to leave an impression. This is why you want to think about your motivation thoroughly and decide on a few points that you can explain in a few short sentences.

If you have any special interests and hobbies that might have to do with the position you’re applying for, it’s a good idea to state these as your motivation. This will feel genuine and might set you apart from the other applicants.

However, try not to sound too vague or pretentious for the sake of filling out this field. You’ll just want to come off as insincere and might even end up lowering your chances of getting the job. If you’re unsure, simply follow the same advice I gave for self-promotion and state that your past experience in the field is why you’re applying.

Again, don’t forget to use the polite Japanese form when you’re stating your reasons here, just like in the self-promotion section. 

5. Personal Requests

In this final section of your rirekisho, you have the opportunity to talk about any requests you may have for accommodating your special condition(s), as well as your hopes and expectations regarding the job.

Since there’s likely going to be an interview following your application, you can also choose to talk about your requests during the interview. If that’s the case, leaving this part empty is perfectly fine. 

If you don’t want to leave it empty, just write something like, “I’ll comply with company regulations.” (貴社の規定に従います), which is what most people write anyway. Alternatively, something along the lines of, “I’d like to consult/discuss the conditions with you.” (ご相談させて頂きたいと思っております.) can be an acceptable answer as well.

This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t write anything sincere in this field, of course. It’s not uncommon to write actual requests in this part, as some people even state their expectations regarding the salary here.

You can also use this field to mention your available times for the interview.

Here you’ll find a downloadable Japanese resume example that I have prepared. The screenshots I’ve included above are from that template. 

This is the template recommended by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, but I modified it so that it’s more suitable for foreigners. I also updated a few sections, which I’ll explain below.

The Best (And Up-To-Date) Japanese Resume Sample

If you look up other rirekisho templates online, you’ll realize that most of them include sections that are not included in the resume template we shared. This is because a few changes were made to the standard resume format in 2020. 

According to these new changes, sections such as “commute time,” “number of dependents,” “spouse,” and “spousal support obligation” have been omitted from the template, all of which you can still see on most other templates online. 

Additionally, the gender field is now made optional, so you can leave it blank if you don’t feel comfortable sharing such information.

We’ve also added a nationality field for foreigners, which can be left blank since it’s not in the original template.

Here’s a downloadable Google Spreadsheet link to the template . You can also download a template I prepared for the second, more detailed type of resume that’s in use in Japan, which is shokumukeirekisho .

Do Japanese Resumes Need to Be Handwritten?

If you looked up how to write resumes for job applications in Japan, you might have stumbled upon the myth of handwritten resumes.

While calling handwritten resumes “a myth” is a bit of an exaggeration, nowadays, you really don’t need to worry about writing your resume by hand in Japan. 

It’s true that a handwritten resume was almost a requirement in the past. It was a way to show your enthusiasm to your potential employer, and it was also seen as a sign of respect. Some companies even deemed it outright disrespectful to present a resume with errors, or worse, a resume with corrections on it. 

Luckily, in the digital age, this isn’t the case anymore. You can now simply create your resume as a digital document and send as many copies as you’d like to however many job listings you’re applying for.

If you don’t know where to start, preparing a resume can be tough, but hopefully, this post helped clear up everything for you. 

Before I go, here’s my final advice on writing your resume. As a foreigner, no matter how much you trust your Japanese skills, it’s always a good idea to run your final rirekisho by a native Japanese speaker if you have the chance. 

After all, this is an important document that’ll help you make the first impression at a company. This way, you can avoid unnecessary mistakes, and if it turns out that your resume is error-free, you get to brag about your awesome Japanese skills, so you win either way.

Lastly, if you have any questions about the job hunt in Japan, you can head on over to my post, where I talk about the process of job hunting in Japan in detail. Also, you might find my guide on finding a job in Japan as a software engineer useful as well. 

This post was written by our Japan Dev editorial team.

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