How to Write a Japanese Resume (Rirekisho)

If you are applying for a job in Japan, you may be asked to submit a Japanese-style resume called a rirekisho (履歴書).

A rirekisho is different from a typical English-language resume or CV. It follows a relatively standardized format and usually includes your personal information, education, work history, licenses and qualifications, reasons for applying, and other basic information.

A well-written rirekisho can make an important first impression on an employer. In fact, Japan's Hello Work employment service describes the rirekisho as one of the most commonly used application documents and notes that employers may use it when deciding whether to invite an applicant to the next stage of the hiring process.

In this guide, we explain how to write a Japanese resume step by step, including what to write in each section, whether you need a photo, how to list your education and work history, how to write your reasons for applying, and how to submit your resume.

You can also use our Japanese resume template to create your own rirekisho.

Rirekisho vs. Shokumu Keirekisho: What Is the Difference?

Foreign job seekers in Japan often confuse a rirekisho (履歴書) with a shokumu keirekisho (職務経歴書).
They serve different purposes.

• Basic Rules for a Japanese Resume
• How to Write a Japanese Resume: Step by Step
• How to Write a Japanese Resume: Education and Work Experience
• How to Write a Japanese Resume: Licenses and Qualifications
• How to Write a Japanese Resume: Objective / Reasons for applying
• How to Write a Japanese Resume: Hobbies and Special Skills
• How to Write a Japanese Resume: Personal Requests and Commuting Time
• Submission Etiquette: Mailing and Handing in Your Resume
• Japanese Resume for Part-Time Jobs
• Japanese Resume for Full-Time and Mid-Career Jobs

Basic Rules for a Japanese Resume

Before you start writing, keep these fundamental Japanese business rules in mind:

• Use a black ballpoint pen: If you are handwriting your resume, never use a pencil or erasable pen.
• No correction fluid: Do not use whiteout or cross out mistakes with double lines. If you make a mistake, you must start over on a new blank form. (Drafting it on rough paper first is highly recommended!)
• Fill in every blank: Do not leave sections empty. If something does not apply to you, write 「特になし」(None in particular).
• Be consistent: Keep your formatting and tone consistent (e.g., sticking to formal Japanese polite forms like Desu/Masu).
• Digital Resumes are acceptable: Today, many companies allow applicants to create resumes using Microsoft Word or Excel. Unless a handwritten resume is specifically requested, typing is perfectly fine and saves time.
• Avoid using a copy of the previous resume you have written.

* If the employer does not specify a particular format, it is perfectly acceptable to create your resume on a computer, print it out, and bring it with you. Although handwritten resumes were once the norm in Japan, many companies now accept resumes prepared in Word or Excel.

Using a template makes it much easier to prepare a rirekisho because you do not have to create the Japanese layout yourself.

• Download Rirekisho Template (Word)
• Download Curriculum Vitae / Shokumukeirekisho Template (Word)

How to Write a Japanese Resume: Step by Step

A typical Japanese rirekisho contains several standard sections. The exact layout may vary slightly depending on the template, so always follow the form you are using.

The following sections explain what foreign applicants should write in each part.

Basic Information

• Date: Write the date you will submit or mail the resume—not the day you wrote it. Be consistent with the calendar format you use (either the Western calendar like "2026" or the Japanese era like "Reiwa 8")
• Name: Leave a space between your first name and surname. Pay attention to the phonetic reading above your name: if it says 「ふりがな」, write it in Hiragana. If it says 「フリガナ」, use Katakana.
• Age: Write your exact age as of the submission date.
• Address: Do not abbreviate. Write everything out, including the prefecture, postal code, full building name, and room number.
• Contact Info: Provide a reliable mobile number and an email address you check regularly.
• Photo: Attach a professional ID photo (taken within the last 3 months). You should wear a dark suit (black or navy), look straight at the camera, and remove any hats. *Pro tip: Write your name on the back of the photo before gluing it, just in case it peels off!

How to Write a Japanese Resume: Education and Work Experience

Education

• Write 「学歴」 (Education) centered on the first line.
• List your educational history in chronological order. Generally, you should start from the school you attended before your highest level of education (e.g., High School).
• Write the precise enrolled and graduate year.
• Do not abbreviate school names (use 「高等学校」 instead of 「高校」).
• For universities, specify your faculty, department, and major.
• If you are currently a student, write 「卒業見込み」 (Expected to graduate) next to your current school.

• 最終学歴 (Academic history): Although it literally means final education, it here means the highest education you have taken.
• If you left school before graduating, clearly state that you withdrew (中途退学) in your education history.

Work Experience

• Leave one blank line after your education, then write 「職歴」 (Work Experience) in the center.
• List your job history in chronological order (company entry and resignation dates).
• Write official company names (use 「株式会社」 instead of 「(株)」). Include your department and a brief description of your role.
• Write the industry type and own department.
• If you have had many short-term part-time jobs, focus on the ones most relevant to the position you are applying for, or the ones you held the longest.
• At the end of your current employment, write 「現在に至る」 (Up to the present). On the very last line, right-aligned, write 「以上」 (End).
• If you left a previous job for personal reasons, write 「一身上の都合により退職」. If you were laid off or the company closed, write 「会社都合により退職」.

How to Write a Japanese Resume: Licenses and Qualifications

• List any relevant certifications, language proficiencies (like the JLPT or TOEIC), or licenses.
• Write their official, unabbreviated names (e.g., use 「実用英語技能検定」 instead of 「英検」).
• Enter the precise year you have obtained.
• If you are currently studying for a certification, you can mention it to show your motivation.
• If you have none, write 「特になし」.

How to Write a Japanese Resume: Objective / Reasons for applying

In Western countries, your objective and reasons for applying are usually put in a Cover Letter. In Japan, this must fit into the 「志望動機」 section of your resume. Since space is limited, keep it concise and impactful:

• Avoid generic statements: Do not use a copy-paste objective. Research the specific company, its products, and its corporate culture.
• Connect your skills: Clearly state why you chose them and how your past experiences and skills will contribute to their business.

How to Write a Japanese Resume: Hobbies and Special Skills

• Mention hobbies that highlight positive traits (e.g., "Reading: 3 books a month" shows dedication, or "Team sports" shows collaboration).
• Don't skip this! Employers often use this section as an icebreaker during interviews.
• Be as specific as possible. For example, instead of simply writing "Reading," write something like "Reading (about three books a month)." Adding a little detail makes your interests easier for employers to understand and can also provide a useful conversation topic during an interview.
• Avoid topics that might leave a negative impression, such as gambling, sleeping, and participating in matchmaking parties.

How to Write a Japanese Resume: Personal Requests and Commuting Time

Please note that the current sample resume format provided by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare does not include fields for commuting time, spouse, or dependents. These fields may still appear on older resume templates.

Personal Request

• For salary or benefits, simply write 「貴社規定に従います」 (I will comply with your company's regulations).
• Only use this space for absolute necessities, such as restricted shift times for students.

Commuting Time

• Enter your one-way commute time from home to the workplace. If there are several possible routes, generally use the one with the shortest travel time.
• If you live far away from the workplace, you should get rid of the employer's worries. For example, tell that you can move after hiring, or you can commute without any problems.

Spouse / Dependents

• Circle 「有」 (Yes) if you have a spouse, or 「無」 (No) if you are single.

• If your resume format does not include sections for “Spouse,” “Obligation to Support a Spouse,” or “Commute Time,” you do not need to add this information separately.

Submission Etiquette: Mailing and Handing in Your Resume

Mailing

Manner of mailing

• Put your resume in a clear plastic folder (clear file), then into a white A4 envelope. Do not fold the resume.
• Send it from a post office counter to ensure the postage is correct.
• Mail as early as possible to meet the deadline.
• Place all documents in the envelope facing the same direction.

How to write an envelope

• Write the recipient's exact address without abbreviations.
• Do not use the abbreviation, such as (株), which is an abbreviation of 株式会社, Write the official name.
• Address it to the specific person in charge using 「様」 (Sama). If addressing a department, use 「御中」 (Onchu).
• If you don't know the specific name, write 「人事採用ご担当者様」 (To the Hiring Manager).
• Write 「履歴書在中」 (Resume Enclosed) or 「応募書類在中」 (Application Documents Enclosed) in red ink on the bottom left of the envelope front.
• Write your own name and address on the back.
• Put in order of an accompanying letter, a resume, a curriculum vitae (CV), and an "entry sheet (ES)".
• Make sure your resume picture is on top.
• After sealing the envelope, you may write 「〆」 across the flap to indicate that it has been sealed.

Bringing / Handing

Manner of bringing/handing

• Keep it in a clear plastic folder inside an unsealed envelope.
• An accompanying letter is unnecessary.
• Take the folder out of the envelope and present it to the interviewer with both hands, making sure the text is facing them so it can be read immediately.

How to write an envelope when handing

• In the case of the envelope, you do not have to seal it.
• Write 応募書類在中 (Application Documents Enclosed) on the left bottom of the surface.
• Write your name on the back.

Japanese Resume for Part-Time Jobs

Japanese resumes can be either handwritten or created on a computer. Some employers may still prefer handwritten resumes, but computer-generated resumes are widely accepted. If you apply through a part-time job website, you may be asked to submit your resume by email. In that case, create your resume digitally and send the file rather than scanning a handwritten copy. The same basic writing rules apply to both handwritten and computer-generated resumes.

Careful points for writing part-time job's objective

If you are applying for an arubaito (アルバイト) or part-time job, your resume does not need to look like the resume of an experienced corporate professional. Employers are often more interested in whether you can work the required shifts, communicate adequately for the job, arrive reliably, learn the work, and cooperate with other staff.
Students and working holiday participants should therefore emphasize relevant experience and practical strengths. If you have worked in a restaurant, hotel, retail store, convenience store, factory, or other customer-facing environment, mention experience that relates directly to the new position.
Your language ability is also useful information. If you have a JLPT qualification, include it. If you do not yet have one, you may still be able to explain your practical Japanese ability in an appropriate section or during the interview.

Example sentence

Recommended apps for part-time jobs

Japanese Resume for Full-Time and Mid-Career Jobs

At a job interview, the interviewer always asks the reason why you would like to work at that company. Answering this question is a great opportunity to show off how good you are. You should specify why you applied, why you would like to get the position, your strength that relates to the job, and so on with own-experienced examples. Interviewers do not seek abstract reasons or expressions, which you can say at any job interview. To explain the objective clearly, you should speak as dividing into three parts: the reason you apply, your experiences and skills, and what you would like to do after employed. Do not forget to attach your own experiences.

Careful points as writing an objective for job-change

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