If you have been job hunting in Japan, you have already encountered the rirekisho (履歴書). It is the standard Japanese resume form, and submitting one correctly is a basic requirement for almost every job application in Japan, from factory work and care positions to office roles and teaching jobs.
The rirekisho is not the same as a Western-style CV. It follows a fixed format, covers specific categories of information, and reflects values that Japanese employers care about: consistency, neatness, and attention to detail. A poorly prepared rirekisho sends a signal before the employer has even read a word of what you wrote.
This guide walks through every section of the rirekisho, what to write, what not to write, and the small details that make a difference.
Paper vs. Digital Rirekisho
Traditionally, the rirekisho was handwritten in pen on a pre-printed form purchased at a convenience store or stationery shop. The expectation of handwriting signals care and sincerity, values that matter to traditional Japanese employers.
Today the situation is more practical. Many companies, especially in technology, international business, retail, and manufacturing, accept or even prefer typed rirekisho submitted as PDF files through online job portals. Job listings that say “Word or PDF acceptable” or use web-based application forms do not expect handwriting.
The safest approach: unless the job listing specifically says typed is fine or the application is entirely online, prepare a handwritten version. If you are applying for multiple positions and efficiency matters, a typed version is generally acceptable for most modern employers.
For handwritten versions, use black or dark blue ink, write in block letters if your Japanese handwriting is not confident, and do not use correction fluid (修正液, shuseieki). A crossed-out error is acceptable; white correction fluid is considered careless.
Where to Get the Form
Pre-printed rirekisho forms are available at:
- Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson) for around 100 to 200 yen per pack
- Bookstores and stationery shops (文房具店, bunbougu ten)
- 100-yen shops
There are several standard formats but the most widely used is the JIS standard (JIS規格) form. If you are unsure which to buy, ask the store staff for a standard rirekisho form (rirekisho no youshi wo kudasai).
For typed versions, downloadable rirekisho templates are available free from sites such as Rikunabi (rikunabi.com) and MyNavi (mynavi.jp). Choose a standard format rather than a decorative or highly stylized template.
Section by Section: What to Write
Personal Information (基本情報)
Date: Write the date you are completing the form, not the date you plan to submit it. Use the Japanese imperial calendar format (令和7年 for 2025) or the Western year depending on the form. Many modern forms accept both. Check what the form uses and be consistent throughout.
Name (氏名): Write your full legal name in katakana if you are a foreign national. Below that, write your name in your passport romanization. Some forms have a furigana field above the name field; fill this in as well. Your name should match your residence card exactly.
Date of Birth (生年月日): Use the format listed on the form. Write your age as of the date you are completing the form.
Address (住所): Write your current registered address in Japan exactly as it appears on your juminhyo. Include your postal code (〒). If you have a phone number, write your mobile number in the phone field.
Photo (写真): Attach a passport-style photo in the designated box. Requirements are specific:
- Size: 3cm wide x 4cm tall
- Taken within the last three months
- Plain white or light gray background
- Facing directly forward, neutral expression
- No hats or accessories that obscure the face
- Business casual or formal clothing
Print the photo on photo paper, not regular paper. Write your name lightly on the back before attaching so it can be identified if it falls off. Use a glue stick rather than tape.
Do not use a selfie, a photo with a busy background, or a photo that is more than a year old. Employers notice.
Education History (学歴)
Start a new line with the header 学歴 (gakureki) centered in its own row. Then list your educational history in chronological order from oldest to most recent.
Format: Write the year and month of entry on the left, then the institution name and what you did (entered or graduated). Use 入学 (nyugaku) for enrollment and 卒業 (sotsugyou) for graduation.
Example:
- 2010年 3月 フィリピン国立大学 入学
- 2014年 3月 フィリピン国立大学 卒業
For Philippine schools, write the full official name in katakana or romaji if the form allows. Some employers are not familiar with Philippine universities so writing the degree obtained (Bachelor of Science in Nursing, etc.) alongside the institution name is helpful.
Include: high school (if relevant to the job level), university, graduate school, vocational training, and Japanese language school if applicable.
Do not include elementary school unless you are a recent graduate with limited educational history.
If you graduated from a Japanese language school, include it. It demonstrates commitment and gives context for your Japanese ability.
Work History (職歴)
Start a new line with the header 職歴 (shokureki) centered in its own row. List your work history in chronological order.
Format: Year and month of joining, company name and what you did (joined or left). Use 入社 (nyuusha) for joining a company and 退社 (taisha) for leaving. If you are currently employed, write 現在に至る (currently continuing) instead of a departure date.
Example:
- 2015年 4月 株式会社〇〇 入社
- 2018年 3月 株式会社〇〇 退社
- 2018年 6月 〇〇株式会社 入社
- 現在に至る
For companies outside Japan, write the company name in katakana or romaji. Add a brief note in brackets about the nature of the company if it is not obvious from the name.
At the end of your work history section, write 以上 (ijou, meaning “the above is all”) right-aligned on the final line. This is a formal convention that signals you have listed everything completely.
Gaps in employment: Japanese employers notice gaps. If you have a period between jobs, be prepared to explain it at interview. Common explanations such as caring for a family member, returning to the Philippines, studying Japanese, or freelancing are all acceptable as long as you can speak to them honestly.
Reason for Application (志望動機, Shibo Douki)
This section is where many foreign applicants underperform. Japanese employers take this section seriously. A generic answer like “I want to work in Japan” or “I am interested in this field” is the resume equivalent of a blank page.
A strong shibo douki:
- Mentions something specific about this company or role, not just the industry
- Connects your experience or skills to what the job requires
- Is honest and direct without being overly formal or stiff
Example approach for a Filipino applying for a care worker position:
Write that you have experience in caregiving through your work in the Philippines and want to develop that professionally in Japan. Mention that this company’s approach to elderly care, or a specific aspect of their work that you researched, aligns with how you believe care should be provided. State that you are committed to improving your Japanese to serve residents better.
Keep it to three to five sentences. Do not write a paragraph so long it spills off the section.
Self-PR (自己PR, Jiko PR)
This is your chance to highlight a strength that is relevant to the job. Japanese employers are not looking for bold self-promotion here. They want to see something genuine, something grounded in real experience.
Effective self-PR for Filipinos often centers on:
- Adaptability and experience adjusting to a new country and culture
- Language ability (English as a working language is a genuine asset many Japanese workers do not have)
- Work ethic developed through your employment history
- Specific skills directly relevant to the role
Avoid vague phrases like “I am a hard worker” or “I always do my best.” These appear in every rirekisho and mean nothing to a hiring manager. Instead, give a concrete example of a time you demonstrated the quality you are claiming.
Commute Time (通勤時間, Tsukin Jikan)
Write the estimated one-way commute time from your home to the company. This is a practical field. Be honest. A commute time of over 90 minutes is sometimes noted as a concern by employers since it can affect punctuality and energy levels.
Dependents and Spouse (扶養家族数 and 配偶者)
Indicate the number of dependents you support and whether you have a spouse. Check the appropriate boxes. This affects certain workplace benefits in Japan.
Desired Conditions (希望欄, Kibou Ran)
Some rirekisho forms include a field for desired working conditions: salary, location, working hours, or other preferences. Use this field carefully.
For most applications at the early stage, writing 貴社の規定に従います (I will follow your company’s regulations) is the standard and safe response. It signals flexibility and avoids appearing demanding before you have an offer.
If you have a genuine constraint such as a specific work location requirement, you can mention it here, but keep it brief and frame it practically rather than as a demand.
Practical Tips Before You Submit
Photocopy your rirekisho before submitting. Keep a copy for yourself so you can review what you wrote before an interview. Inconsistencies between what you wrote and what you say at interview are a red flag.
Use an envelope marked 履歴書在中. If submitting by post, use a white A4 envelope and write 履歴書在中 (rirekisho zaichuu, meaning “rirekisho enclosed”) in red on the front lower left. This signals the document inside and prompts careful handling.
Submit on time. If a job listing has a deadline, submit a few days early. Submitting at the last moment in Japan is considered poor form.
Match the formality of the role. A rirekisho for a factory position does not need to be written with the same level of formal language as one for a management role. Read the job listing tone and calibrate accordingly.
Japanese language fields: If certain sections require Japanese writing and your Japanese is limited, ask a Japanese-speaking friend or colleague to review the written sections before you submit. Grammatical errors in the shibo douki or jiko PR sections will be noticed.
What About a職務経歴書 (Shokumu Keirekisho)?
For professional and management roles in Japan, some employers request a shokumu keirekisho (職務経歴書) in addition to the rirekisho. This is a more detailed career history document, closer to a Western CV, where you describe your responsibilities, achievements, and skills in each role you have held.
The shokumu keirekisho is free-format, typed, and usually one to two A4 pages. If a job listing asks for both documents, the rirekisho covers your personal information and basic history, while the shokumu keirekisho covers the substance of your professional experience.
If you are applying for office, engineering, or specialist roles in Japan, it is worth preparing both. For part-time, factory, care, or service roles, the rirekisho alone is almost always sufficient.
Useful Resources
- Rikunabi (rirekisho templates and job listings): rikunabi.com
- MyNavi (rirekisho templates and guides): mynavi.jp
- Hello Work Japan (government job support): hellowork.mhlw.go.jp
- FilipinosInJapan.com Jobs Board: FilipinosInJapan.com/jobs
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