Learn how to create a Japanese resume (rirekisho) for 2026. Includes format rules, template sections, photo requirements, writing tips, and free templates.
Applying for jobs in Japan requires understanding a unique resume format. The Japanese resume — called rirekisho (履歴書) — the standard Japanese resume format described by the Japan External Trade Organization (履歴書) — follows strict conventions that differ significantly from Western resumes. Getting it wrong can disqualify you before an interview.
Here is everything you need to know about creating a Japanese resume.
| Aspect | Japanese Rirekisho | Western Resume |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Standardized template | Flexible, candidate-designed |
| Photo | Required (3x4cm formal photo) | Not included (in most countries) |
| Handwriting | Sometimes preferred | Always typed |
| Personal info | Extensive (DOB, gender, address) | Minimal (name, contact only) |
| Length | 1-2 pages (fixed format) | 1-2 pages (flexible) |
| Focus | Chronological facts | Achievements and impact |
| Seal/stamp | Hanko sometimes required | Signature or none |
Japanese resume photos follow strict standards:
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Size | 3cm wide x 4cm tall |
| Background | White or light blue |
| Attire | Dark suit, white shirt |
| Expression | Neutral, professional |
| Framing | Head and top of shoulders |
| Recency | Within the last 3 months |
| Attachment | Glued to the top-right corner |
Where to get photos: photo booths (証明写真機) at convenience stores and train stations throughout Japan, or professional photo studios.
Japan uses the Imperial era calendar alongside Western dates:
令和4年3月 ○○大学 ○○学部 ○○学科 卒業
(March Reiwa 4 — [University] [Faculty] [Department] Graduated)
令和4年4月 株式会社○○ 入社
○○部 ○○課 配属
令和6年3月 一身上の都合により退職
(April Reiwa 4 — Joined [Company]
Assigned to [Department] [Section]
March Reiwa 6 — Left for personal reasons)
Use standard phrases:
| Company Type | Resume Format Expected |
|---|---|
| Traditional Japanese companies | Rirekisho required |
| Japanese IT/tech companies | Either format, typed preferred |
| Foreign companies in Japan | Western format or both |
| International organizations | Western format |
| Startups | Either format, flexible |
| Academic positions | Rirekisho + CV (研究業績書) |
Mid-career applicants also need a shokumu-keirekisho (職務経歴書), which is closer to a Western resume:
Foreign applicants often struggle with the specific formatting conventions Japanese employers expect. Here is a field-by-field guide for completing each section correctly.
Name field: Write your name in katakana (for non-Japanese names) in the furigana line above the kanji name field. If you do not have kanji, write your name in katakana in both lines. Western name order (first name, last name) is acceptable on rirekisho submitted to international companies, but Japanese name order (last name first) is standard for traditional employers.
Date of birth: Write using the Imperial era format. For example, if you were born on March 15, 1995, write 平成7年3月15日 (Heisei 7, March 15). Most templates also accept Western format (1995年3月15日), but using the era calendar shows cultural awareness.
Address: Include the full address with postal code (〒). Japanese addresses follow a specific order: postal code, prefecture, city, ward/district, block number, building name, and room number. Write your address in Japanese if possible; romanized addresses are acceptable for foreign applicants.
Contact information: List your Japanese mobile number (携帯) in the format 090-XXXX-XXXX. If you have a landline, list that as your primary number and mobile as secondary. Include an email address you check daily.
Start with your most recent secondary education (high school) and work forward. Do not include elementary or middle school. Each entry needs:
For foreign degrees, include the country and the Japanese equivalent level. A US Bachelor's degree corresponds to 学士 (gakushi), and a Master's corresponds to 修士 (shushi).
Each work entry must use specific Japanese phrases:
For part-time or contract work, use 入職 (nyushoku) instead of 入社. For freelance work, write 個人事業開始 (started individual business).
Avoiding these mistakes will make your japanese resume stand out. ### Using Western Resume Conventions
The most frequent mistake is treating a rirekisho like a Western resume with a different layout. A rirekisho is not achievement-focused — it is fact-focused. Do not add bullet points with metrics or results-driven language in the work history section. Save achievement-oriented content for the shokumu-keirekisho.
Using Western date formats (January 2024) instead of Japanese era dates (令和6年1月) immediately signals unfamiliarity with Japanese business conventions. Some templates accept Western years, but always confirm the expected format. When in doubt, use the Imperial era calendar.
Japanese rirekisho templates are designed to be filled completely. Blank sections — especially the motivation statement (志望動機) and the qualifications section (免許・資格) — suggest lack of effort. If you have no certifications, write 特になし (nothing in particular). For the motivation section, always write a company-specific explanation.
If submitting a handwritten rirekisho (still preferred by some traditional employers), any correction is unacceptable. You cannot use correction fluid (修正液) or strike-through marks. A single error means starting over on a fresh form. Practice your entries on scratch paper before writing the final version.
Using a casual selfie, a cropped group photo, or a photo with the wrong dimensions immediately disqualifies your application at many companies. The photo must be professionally taken, 3cm x 4cm, and less than 3 months old.
The handwriting debate has shifted significantly in recent years. Here is the current landscape:
Many applicants prepare both versions. A typed rirekisho is efficient for mass applications and online submissions. A handwritten version demonstrates sincerity and effort for your top-choice traditional employers. The calligraphy quality matters — practice writing neatly in pen (black ink, ballpoint or felt-tip) on the JIS B5 or A4 standard rirekisho forms available at convenience stores (コンビニ) and stationery shops.
The resume photo (証明写真, shoumei shashin) is taken more seriously in Japan than in almost any other country. Here is exactly what you need to get right.
Photo booths (証明写真機): Available at train stations, convenience stores, and shopping centers throughout Japan. Cost: 700-1,000 yen for a set of 6-8 prints. Most booths offer beauty lighting modes — choose the "natural" setting, not "beauty" mode. Machines by Ki-Re-i and DNP are the most common brands.
Professional studios: Cost: 1,500-5,000 yen. The photographer adjusts lighting, posture, and expression. Many studios offer retouching, which is acceptable as long as the result looks natural. Studios near major train stations specialize in job-hunting photos (就活写真).
Many online application portals now accept uploaded photos. Use a high-resolution scan of your printed photo or a digital photo taken against a plain background. Crop to a 3:4 aspect ratio. File size should typically be under 3MB, in JPEG format.
While the rirekisho is essential for traditional Japanese employers, many international and tech companies accept Western-format resumes. Our AI Resume Builder creates professional, ATS-optimized resumes for global job applications. Browse our 300+ resume examples for industry-specific inspiration, or start with a free template.
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A rirekisho (履歴書) is the standard Japanese resume format. Unlike Western resumes, it follows a strict template with specific sections for personal information, education, work history, qualifications, and a personal statement. Most Japanese employers require this format for job applications.
Yes. Japanese resumes require a professional photo (3cm x 4cm) in the top-right corner. The photo should be taken at a photo booth (shashin-ki) or professional studio, with formal business attire, neutral background, and a professional expression. This is a strict cultural requirement.
Traditionally, rirekisho were handwritten in black ink to show diligence. However, typed resumes are now widely accepted, especially in IT, foreign companies, and startups. Some traditional Japanese companies still prefer handwritten resumes. Check the company culture before deciding.
Some companies accept Western-style resumes, especially foreign companies operating in Japan, international firms, and tech/startup companies. However, most traditional Japanese companies expect the standard rirekisho format. When in doubt, prepare both versions.
A shokumu-keirekisho (職務経歴書) is a detailed work history document that supplements the rirekisho. It lists your job responsibilities, achievements, and skills in detail — similar to a Western resume. Mid-career applicants are expected to submit both a rirekisho and shokumu-keirekisho.
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