Writing a Japanese-Style Resume (Rirekisho): Tips for Expats

New to job hunting in Japan? This guide explains how to write a Japanese-style resume (rirekisho) step by step. Learn what each section means, how to avoid common mistakes, and how expats can adapt the format without sounding unprofessional.

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What Is a Japanese-Style Resume Rirekisho?

A rirekisho is the standard, formal Japanese-style resume used for job applications in Japan. It looks very different from a Western CV. The format is standardized, often on A3 paper folded into A4, and many employers expect this style.

You will usually submit:

• A rirekisho (personal profile and basic history)
• A shokumu keirekisho (職務経歴書 – detailed work history / career summary), especially for mid-career roles

If you are just starting your job search, it helps to first understand the whole process through Job Hunting in Japan: How Foreigners Can Find Opportunities.

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Rirekisho vs Western Resume vs Shokumu Keirekisho

Before writing your Japanese resume, it is useful to see how it compares to other formats you may know.

Comparison of Resume Types

Document type	Main use in Japan	Length and format	Key features
Rirekisho	Standard resume for all job applications	1–2 pages, fixed template	Personal details, photo, education, work history, licenses, motivation
Shokumu keirekisho	Detailed career summary, especially mid-career	2+ pages, free format	Skills, responsibilities, achievements, projects
Western-style CV / resume	Sometimes accepted in global or foreign companies	1–2 pages, flexible layout	Focus on results, skills, bullet points

Most Japanese companies will expect a rirekisho at minimum. Many will also ask for a shokumu keirekisho, especially for career-change or experienced positions. To prepare the second document, you can later check Crafting a Japanese Shokumu Keirekisho: Work History for Foreigners.

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Where to Get a Rirekisho Template

You do not need to design a rirekisho yourself. In Japan, you can find templates easily:

• Stationery stores (文房具屋) and bookstores sell printed rirekisho forms.
• Many convenience stores have printable templates on their copy machines.
• There are downloadable PDF or Word templates from Japanese websites.
• Some job boards and agencies provide their own format.

For most expats, a digital rirekisho (created in Word, Google Docs, or a Japanese template) is perfectly fine, unless the company specifically asks for a handwritten version.

If you are still outside Japan, you can prepare your other documents too, such as cover letters and contracts. When you start to receive offers, Understanding Your Japanese Employment Contract: Key Points will help you read the details.

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Basic Layout of a Japanese-Style Resume

While each template looks slightly different, most rirekisho forms include the same sections.

Typical Sections in a Rirekisho

Section	What it includes	Notes for expats
Personal information	Name, furigana, address, contact, date of birth, gender	Foreign names usually written in romaji and katakana
Photo	ID-style photo attached or inserted	Conservative, professional appearance
Education history	Schools and universities with dates	Listed in chronological order
Work experience	Companies, positions, periods of employment	Simple descriptions, not detailed achievements
Licenses and qualifications	Tests, language scores, certifications	JLPT level, IT certs, professional licenses
Personal statement / motivation	Why you want the job and company	Short, polite, written in Japanese if possible
Commute time and family details	Commute time, dependents, marital status (depending on form)	May feel personal but is common in Japan
Desired working conditions	Desired position, working hours, salary, start date	Some fields can be left “相談可” (negotiable)
Free comments / PR section	Strengths, skills, self-introduction	Good place to summarize your value

Once you understand this structure, filling the form becomes much easier.

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Personal Information and Photo

Name and basic details

At the top of the rirekisho, you will write:

• Name – usually family name first, then given name. Foreigners can also use Western order (given + family) if it matches your passport, but be consistent in all documents.
• Furigana – how to read your name, usually written in katakana for foreign names.
• Date of birth and age – often written both as date and age.
• Gender – some forms include male/female boxes. If you are uncomfortable, you may look for templates without this field or ask the recruiter.

If you are not confident with Japanese writing, it helps to get support from a Japanese friend or career center. You can also improve your language skills over time using resources in Learning Japanese: Top 10 Apps and Resources for Expats.

Address and contact details

You will normally include:

• Full Japanese address (郵便番号, prefecture, city, building name, room number)
• Phone number (mobile is fine)
• Email address (use a professional address, not a nickname)

If you do not yet live in Japan, you can:

• Use your current overseas address and phone
• Add a note with your planned arrival date or Japanese address once confirmed

When you move, guides like Ultimate Expat Housing Guide in Japan – Renting, Bills, and Beyond and Cost of Living in Japan 2025 – Expenses Breakdown will help you handle housing and budgeting.

Photo rules

The resume photo is very important in Japan.

• Size is usually around 3 x 4 cm.
• Choose a plain background (white or light blue).
• Wear simple formal clothes: suit jacket is common for office jobs.
• Keep hair neat and makeup natural.
• Look straight at the camera, with a neutral or slight smile.

Many convenience stores and photo booths in Japan have a “履歴書用” mode. For online applications, you can also upload a digital ID-style photo.

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Writing the Education Section

The education section lists your schools in chronological order.

How to list education

• Start with high school or university, depending on template space.
• Write the year and month you entered and graduated (for example, 2015年9月入学, 2019年6月卒業).
• Use the official school name in Japanese if possible.
• For foreign universities, you can write the name in English and add katakana.

Example:

• 2015年9月　○○ University 入学
• 2019年6月　○○ University 卒業

For overseas degrees, it is helpful to briefly explain the major or field (for example, “BA in International Relations”). You can describe your academic strengths more fully in your shokumu keirekisho or cover letter.

If you plan to study further in Japan, you might later look at Applying to Japanese Universities: Step-by-Step Guide for detailed procedures.

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Writing the Work Experience Section

The work experience section on a rirekisho is quite simple compared to Western resumes.

How to list work history

• List jobs in chronological order with start and end dates.
• Include company name, department, and job title.
• Briefly write the type of work, but keep it short (often one line per job).
• If still employed, you can write 「現在に至る」 (currently employed).

Example:

• 2020年4月　ABC Corporation 入社　営業部配属
• 2023年3月　ABC Corporation 退社

The detailed description of your responsibilities, skills, and achievements should go into your shokumu keirekisho. This is where you can show numbers, projects, and results. If you are planning a career change, Career Change in Japan: Moving from Teaching to Corporate Field can help you position your past experience.

Explaining gaps and short jobs

Career gaps are common, especially for people moving countries. You can:

• Briefly note periods of study, language learning, or family care.
• Use neutral phrases like 「日本語学習のため来日」 (came to Japan to study Japanese).
• Avoid negative or defensive language.

Use the free comment or PR section to explain your story positively.

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Licenses, Qualifications, and Language Skills

This section is important for expats because it allows you to show clear, objective strengths.

Typical items include:

• JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test) level and date
• TOEIC/TOEFL/IELTS scores (if relevant)
• Professional licenses (accounting, nursing, engineering, etc.)
• IT certifications (AWS, Cisco, Java, etc.)
• Other recognized tests and certificates

Write them in order, usually from older to newer. If you have not taken JLPT yet but plan to, you can work towards it using Top Japanese Language Schools for Foreigners.

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Motivation and Self-PR Sections

Most rirekisho forms have areas for:

• 志望動機 (motivation for applying)
• 自己PR (self-promotion) or 自己紹介 (self-introduction)
• 本人希望欄 (desired conditions / requests)

Writing your motivation (志望動機)

This part answers:

• Why this company?
• Why this position?
• How can you contribute?

Keep it:

• Short (3–6 sentences)
• Specific to the company or industry
• Written in polite Japanese if possible (です・ます style)

You can connect your motivation to:

• Your skills
• Your past experience
• Your interest in Japan or the industry

To understand expectations around job interviews and how your motivation is evaluated, read Job Interview Tips in Japan: Common Questions and Etiquette.

Writing self-PR (自己PR)

Here you highlight your strengths:

• International background
• Language skills
• Technical skills
• Cross-cultural communication
• Teamwork or leadership

Try to use a simple structure:

1. State your strength.
2. Give a short example.
3. Link it to how you will help the company.

Even if your Japanese is basic, you can write a mix of simple Japanese and some English keywords, then ask a Japanese friend, teacher, or career advisor to check.

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Special Fields: Commute Time, Salary, and Availability

Many rirekisho templates include practical fields such as:

• Desired position or job type
• Commute time from your home to the office
• Dependents / family
• Desired salary
• Preferred starting date

How to handle these fields

• For salary, if you are flexible, you can write 「貴社規定に従います」 (according to your company rules) or 「応相談」 (negotiable).
• For starting date, you can write a clear date such as 「2025年4月1日より勤務可能」, or simply 「内定後1〜2か月後」 (1–2 months after job offer).
• If you are unsure about commute time, estimate using train route apps once you know your housing area. Guides like Finding an Apartment in Japan: Using Real Estate Agents and Websites can help you plan location.

Understanding these fields also helps when you negotiate offers later. For that stage, Negotiating Salary and Benefits in Japan: A Guide for Expats is very useful.

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Common Mistakes Expats Make on Rirekisho

Here are some errors foreign job seekers often make, and how to avoid them:

1. Using only a Western-style CV
   • Some global firms accept it, but many Japanese companies expect a rirekisho.
2. Skipping the photo or using a casual photo
   • Always use an appropriate ID-style photo unless the company clearly says otherwise.
3. Writing education and work history in the wrong order
   • Follow Japanese chronological style with 年 (year) and 月 (month).
4. Overloading the rirekisho with detailed bullet points
   • Keep detailed descriptions in your shokumu keirekisho.
5. Inconsistent name order or spelling across documents
   • Use the same name order on all forms, business cards, and email signatures.
6. Leaving sections blank without marking them
   • If something does not apply, write 「特になし」 (nothing in particular) or 「なし」.

For a smoother experience during onboarding and after you join a company, Workplace Culture in Japan: Etiquette for Foreign Employees is another good read.

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Handwritten vs Digital Rirekisho

In the past, most rirekisho were handwritten, and some conservative companies still prefer this. Today, many employers accept or even prefer typed resumes.

When to handwrite

Consider handwriting your rirekisho if:

• The job posting specifically asks for a handwritten resume.
• You apply to a very traditional Japanese company.

If you handwrite:

• Use a black ballpoint pen.
• Write neatly and avoid corrections. If you make a mistake, it is safer to restart the page.
• Pay attention to spacing and balance.

When digital is fine

Digital is usually fine when:

• The company asks for email or online submissions.
• You are applying to global or foreign-owned companies.
• You are using a major job site’s template.

Digital resumes make it easier to adjust for each company and avoid handwriting errors.

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Tailoring Your Rirekisho for Different Jobs

Even though the format is fixed, you can still adapt your rirekisho slightly:

• Choose a template that fits your target industry (some are made for new graduates, others for mid-career).
• Emphasize relevant qualifications near the top if possible.
• Adjust your 志望動機 and 自己PR to match each company.

For example:

• For IT jobs, highlight programming languages and certifications, and read Career Opportunities in Japan’s IT Industry for Foreigners to match expected skills.
• For manufacturing or engineering, highlight design tools and plant experience, and refer to Career Opportunities in Japan’s Engineering and Manufacturing Sectors.
• For teaching or education, show your teaching certificates and reference Teaching English in Japan – Tips for First-Time Teachers.

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How Your Rirekisho Fits into the Whole Job Search

Your rirekisho is only one part of your job-hunting toolkit in Japan. The full set often includes:

• Rirekisho – basic profile and history
• Shokumu keirekisho – detailed work history and skills
• Cover letter or email – short explanation of your application
• Interview preparation – answers to common questions, self-introduction, and career story

Once you receive an offer, you will also need to think about benefits, insurance, and overtime rules. Helpful guides include Understanding Japanese Work Benefits: Bonuses, Insurance, and More and Labor Laws in Japan: 10 Rights Foreign Workers Should Know.

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Step-by-Step Checklist for Writing Your Japanese-Style Resume

Use this simple checklist when you create or review your rirekisho:

1. Choose a template
   • Printed or digital, suitable for mid-career or new graduate.
2. Prepare your photo
   • Professional, ID-style, recent photo.
3. Fill in personal information
   • Name with furigana, address, contact, date of birth.
4. Write education history
   • Chronological order, clear dates, official school names.
5. Write work history
   • Company names, departments, positions, simple duty descriptions.
6. List qualifications and language skills
   • JLPT, English tests, IT or professional certifications.
7. Write motivation and self-PR
   • Short, specific, polite Japanese if possible, tailored to each company.
8. Check commute, family, and conditions fields
   • Use “negotiable” when unsure about salary or conditions.
9. Review carefully
   • No spelling mistakes, consistent dates, no empty sections without explanation.
10. Save versions for each company
    • Keep a base template and adjust志望動機and自己PR for each application.

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Final Thoughts

Writing a Japanese-style resume (rirekisho) can feel strange at first, especially if you are used to flexible Western CVs. But once you understand the standard format, it becomes a clear and predictable process.

As an expat, you can use your rirekisho to:

• Show that you respect Japanese business customs
• Present your international skills in a familiar format for HR staff
• Communicate your motivation and personality in a polite, structured way

Combine a solid rirekisho with a strong shokumu keirekisho, good interview preparation, and basic Japanese skills, and you will be ready to compete seriously in the Japanese job market and build a rewarding career in Japan.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.