Writing a Japanese Resume (Rirekisho) as a Foreigner

Quick answer (30 seconds): A Japanese job application usually needs two documents, not one. The rirekisho is a short, standardized personal-data form (with a photo) covering who you are, your schooling, and a bare list of jobs. The shokumu-keirekisho is a separate, free-format work-history sheet where you actually sell your experience and skills. Western-style CVs are rarely accepted on their own. Plan to prepare both, and have a Japanese speaker proofread before you send.

Why a Japanese resume is different

If you have applied for jobs in your home country, you probably wrote one CV that mixed your background and your achievements together, in whatever layout looked good. Japan splits that into two purpose-built documents.

• The rirekisho (履歴書, rirekisho) is a fill-in-the-blanks personal record. Its layout is fixed, so recruiters can scan it fast.
• The shokumu-keirekisho (職務経歴書, shokumu-keirekisho) is your free-format career story, where you describe duties, results, and strengths.

Think of the rirekisho as the form and the work-history sheet as the pitch. Most employers ask for both. A polished Western CV alone often reads as "incomplete" to a Japanese hiring team, even when the content is strong.

This article is general guidance, not legal or career advice. Requirements vary by employer and change over time, so always follow the specific instructions in the job posting and check official sources.

The rirekisho: your standardized personal record

For years the standard layout came from a Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) sample form. In July 2020 the body that publishes JIS removed that resume sample, and in April 2021 the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) published its own recommended resume form to fill the gap. You will still see "JIS-style" templates everywhere, and they remain widely accepted, but the MHLW form is a safe, current default.

What goes on a rirekisho

A typical rirekisho includes:

• Name and furigana (a phonetic reading of your name). Non-Japanese names are usually written in capital letters, family name first.