Japanese Resume: The How-To Guide
Create a winning resume for your Japanese job application
When you live and work in a new country, bridging cultural differences is a must. Writing a resume in Japanese is no exception. You must learn what’s expected of a Japanese-style resume and tailor your experiences to fit.
Your Rirekisho (履歴書) or resume will serve as your job application. Below, you’ll learn about the layout, sections, and information Japanese hiring managers will be looking for. You can also use the Japanese resume example as a model for your document.
Along with the tips and examples, ResumeCoach’s AI resume builder can provide instant suggestions to help you create a resume for entry-level Japanese jobs.
Writing a Resume in Japanese
Creating a Japanese resume involves more than translating your current resume. A Japanese resume format uses a pre-designed set-up that is accepted all over the country and by Japanese companies abroad.
Traditionally, the rirekisho includes the exact same sections for every candidate. There is a widely available template that can be downloaded, such as this one from Hiroshima University. Candidates either fill it out by hand or complete it via a word processor.
The basic rirekisho is generally accepted for entry-level candidates or students who do not have a long work experience. Professional candidates may be expected to apply for a job in Japan using a shokumukeirekisho (職務経歴書), which allows a more in-depth look at a job applicant’s professional achievements and responsibilities.
Optimize your Japanese resume by applying some of the following expert resume writing tips:
- Adapt your resume to each position you apply for. Make sure the keywords match and the experiences you include are relevant.
- Research the company so you can tailor your resume to the company culture and recruitment regulations. For example, some companies don’t accept digitalized resumes but only traditional hand-written rirekisho.
- All dated experiences should be written in chronological order, starting with the oldest. This is the opposite of western resumes, which are structured in reverse-chronological order.
- When writing dates, most Japanese employers prefer the Japanese date style (Nengo 年号), in which the Japanese era is used in place of the Gregorian calendar year. Some companies accept westernized calendar years, as long as the date format is correct: year (年), month (月), and day (日).
- Proofread carefully. No matter how confident you feel of your Japanese fluency, it is always advisable to have your resume read by a native Japanese speaker.
Japanese Resume Format: Layout and Sections
As you write your Japanese resume, you’ll notice that it has a lot in common with your American resume. Other aspects, such as the inclusion of a resume photo, will differ greatly. Each of the following sections offers Japanese resume samples to guide you.
Personal and contact details
氏名・住所・電話番号
As with most formats, resumes in Japanese begin with the candidate’s contact details. The information is presented in a table style.
- Name – 氏名
- Stamp/seal – 印
- Date of birth (using the Japanese nengo calendar), age, and gender – 生年月日
- Phone Number – 電話Address – 現住所 (Prefecture, Ward/City, Town, Chome, Ban, Go)
Note that the names should be written in reverse order with the last name (姓) first and the first name (名) last. Use Hiragana or Katakana for foreign names.
Your contact information might look something like this:
Name: YAMADA Hanako (Seal)
Furigana: YAMADA HANAKO
Date of Birth: May 10, 1998 (Heisei 10) – Age 27 – Female
Current Address: Tokyo-to, Shibuya-ku, Jingumae, 1-chome, 2-ban, 3-go
Phone: 090-1234-5678
Email: hanako.yamada@example.com
氏名 山田 花子 印
フリガナ ヤマダ ハナコ
生年月日 平成10年5月10日生（満27歳） 女
現住所 東京都 渋谷区 神宮前 一丁目 二番 三号
電話 090-1234-5678
Eメール hanako.yamada@example.com
Japanese resume photo
写真
Though photos are not common, the professional headshot is a compulsory part of a Japanese resume.
The Japanese resume photo should be a passport-sized photo, taken in a professional environment with a clear background. The candidate should be conservatively dressed as if attending a job interview.
The photo should be physically attached to the top right-hand corner of the resume if being delivered by hand or mail, but a digital copy is preferred to no photo.
Education
学歴
The Japanese resume education section is displayed in chronological order, from first to most recent. Each entry in the academic history includes the date of starting the course and the graduation date, the name of the institution, location, and the name of the certificate awarded or course undertaken.
At the end of each academic entry, on the right-hand side of the next line, you should introduce the characters 以上 to indicate it is the end of the entry. It should look something like this:
Education
Apr 2014 (Heisei 26) – Entered Tokyo Metropolitan Aoyama High School
Mar 2017 (Heisei 29) – Graduated Tokyo Metropolitan Aoyama High School
Apr 2017 (Heisei 29) – Entered Tokyo Keizai University, Faculty of Business Administration
Mar 2021 (Reiwa 3) – Graduated Tokyo Keizai University, Faculty of Business Administration
End of Education
学歴
平成26年4月 東京都立青山高等学校 入学
平成29年3月 東京都立青山高等学校 卒業
平成29年4月 東京経済大学 経営学部 入学
令和3年3月 東京経済大学 経営学部 卒業
以上
Work history
職歴
Again, you’ll list the previous roles in chronological order. You do not need to include duties or responsibilities, unless creating a shokumukeirekisho.
List the following for each position:
- Official company name (not commercial name)
- Dates of entry and departure from the company
- Reasons for leaving
- Demonstrate the end of each entry with 以上
💡Tip
Reasons for leaving: It is acceptable to state that they left for personal reasons (一身上の都合により退社), that it was the business’s decision (会社都合により退社), or the contract was temporary (契約満了により退社).
Internships or voluntary work can also be included.
Your work experience section might look like this:
Work History
Apr 2021 (Reiwa 3) – Joined Green Trading Co., Ltd. as Administrative Staff
Oct 2025 (Reiwa 7) – Resigned from same
End of Work History
職歴
令和3年4月 株式会社グリーン商事 一般事務職 入社
令和7年10月 同社 退職
以上
Qualifications, licenses, and certificates
免許・資格
Traditionally, all licenses and certifications were listed, but today, it is recommended to list only those that are practical and pertinent to the position. For foreign candidates, listing any Japanese language certificates and a driving license is perfectly acceptable.
Your resume section might read like this:
Jul 2020 (Reiwa 2) – Passed Japan Chamber of Commerce Bookkeeping Level 2
Mar 2022 (Reiwa 4) – Passed Microsoft Office Specialist (Excel)
令和2年7月 日商簿記検定2級 取得
令和4年3月 MOS（Microsoft Office Specialist）Excel 合格
Reasons for applying/motivation
志望動機
If you’re one of over 66,000 American expats living in Japan, this section is vital for your Japanese resume if you want to be considered seriously. Similar to a resume objective or summary statement, candidates can describe why they are interested in taking on the specific role they’re applying to.
Strive to use keywords from the job description and quantifiable evidence. Think about how your soft and hard skills would make you a good fit for the company.
A good motivation statement might say:
I am applying to your company because I wish to utilize my administrative experience in a broader range of responsibilities. I value accuracy and teamwork, and aim to contribute through efficient operational support.
これまでの事務経験を活かし、より幅広い業務に携わりたいと考え、貴社を志望いたしました。 正確さとチームワークを大切にし、効率的な業務サポートで貢献したいと思っております。
Miscellaneous
In this section, candidates can indicate any of the following:
- Commuting time (from home to office) 通勤時間
- Marital status 配偶者
- Number of dependents 扶養者
You don’t have to share any information that makes you uncomfortable. However, it is recommended to at least mention a commuting time.
Commuting Time: Approximately 30 minutes
Marital Status: Single
Dependents: None
通勤時間 約30分
配偶者 無
扶養者 無
Expectations/requests
本人希望記入欄
The final section of a Japanese resume allows you to state your expectations of the new role. You can explain what you hope to earn in terms of salary, any specific ideas you have for the future of the role, working hours, or the location of the job if various offices are available.
You might say:
I prefer to work within Tokyo.
I am available to start in January, Reiwa 8 (2026).
勤務地は東京都内を希望いたします。
勤務開始日は令和8年1月を予定しております。
Don’t leave this section blank, as it can be taken as a lack of interest in the position. If you don’t have any specific requests, the sentence 勤務条件は貴社の規定に従います signifies that you are willing to accept the conditions offered by the company at the interview stage.
Japanese Resume Sample
Whether you’re permitted to type your resume or you’re writing it by hand, you can use the following rirekisho sample as a guide. You might even adopt some of the same Japanese resume phrases if you’re applying for a position as an administrative assistant.
個人情報
氏名 山田 花子 印
フリガナ ヤマダ ハナコ
生年月日 平成10年5月10日生（満27歳） 女
現住所 東京都 渋谷区 神宮前 一丁目 二番 三号
電話 090-1234-5678
Eメール hanako.yamada@example.com
作成年月日 令和7年11月12日現在
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
学歴・職歴
学歴
平成26年4月 東京都立青山高等学校 入学
平成29年3月 東京都立青山高等学校 卒業
平成29年4月 東京経済大学 経営学部 入学
令和3年3月 東京経済大学 経営学部 卒業
以上
職歴
令和3年4月 株式会社グリーン商事 一般事務職 入社
令和7年10月 同社 退職
以上
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
資格・免許
令和2年7月 日商簿記検定2級 取得
令和4年3月 MOS（Microsoft Office Specialist）Excel 合格
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
志望動機
これまでの事務経験を活かし、より幅広い業務に携わりたいと考え、貴社を志望いたしました。
正確さとチームワークを大切にし、効率的な業務サポートで貢献したいと思っております。
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
自己PR
事務職として4年間、経理補助やデータ入力、顧客対応など幅広く担当してきました。
正確さとスピードの両立に自信があり、周囲との連携を重視して業務を進めています。
今後は新しい環境でも柔軟に対応しながら、会社全体を支える存在を目指します。
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
趣味・特技
趣味：カフェ巡り、旅行、読書
特技：タイピングの速さ、整理整頓
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
本人希望欄
勤務地は東京都内を希望いたします。
勤務開始日は令和8年1月を予定しております。
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
その他（通勤・家族状況）
通勤時間 約45分
配偶者 有（夫）
扶養者 1人（子ども1人）
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
American resumes come in many sizes and three common formats. However, the traditional Japanese resume template allows candidates only to include the information requested by the structure, similar to application forms.
Another major difference is the order in which experiences are listed. American resumes use a reverse-chronological order (starting with the most recent and working backwards), while Japanese resumes require chronological order (the order that events happened in time, from oldest to most recent).
A Japanese resume includes personal details such as your full name with a seal (印), date of birth and age (using the Japanese era calendar), gender, address in Japanese order (prefecture → city/ward → town → chome → ban → go), and contact information.
It also lists your education (学歴) and work history (職歴) in chronological order, qualifications or licenses (資格・免許), and motivation for application (志望動機).
Optional sections include desired working conditions (本人希望欄) and family details like commuting time (通勤時間), marital status (配偶者), and dependents (扶養者).
In Japan, the Act on Protection of Personal Information (APPI) makes it necessary for you to give consent for any background checks.
Such checks may be required when working in government, healthcare, education, or finance, as they are fields in which trustworthiness is essential.
When applying for a job in Japan, you may need both a Japanese resume (rirekisho) and a Japanese CV (shokumu-keirekisho). The purpose of the resume is to convey basic information about your education, work experience, and contact information.
The CV appeals to your past work experience, including things like skills you used and past job descriptions. The CV provides aspects familiar from American resumes that Japanese-style resumes lack.