Japanese Resume Guide: How to Write a Rirekisho and Shokumu Keirekisho
By Zyctra Team · · 7 min read
Applying for jobs in Japan is different from most countries. Instead of one flexible CV, Japanese employers usually expect two documents: the 履歴書 (rirekisho), a standardised personal history form, and the 職務経歴書 (shokumu keirekisho), a more detailed career history. Foreign-affiliated companies may accept an English CV instead, but Japanese companies often expect both.
The rirekisho (履歴書)
The rirekisho follows a fixed form, usually on A4 or B5 paper. Templates are widely available, and many applicants now fill it in on a computer rather than by hand.
What goes in it
- Date of writing at the top.
- Name with furigana (the phonetic reading).
- Date of birth and age.
- Address (with furigana), phone and email.
- ID-style photo of about 3 × 4 cm, taken recently, in business attire.
- 学歴・職歴 (education and work history) — in chronological order, oldest first, one line per event with year and month: school entry and graduation (入学・卒業), joining and leaving companies (入社・退社). The list ends with 「以上」.
- 免許・資格 (licences and qualifications) with the date obtained — e.g. JLPT N2, driving licence, TOEIC score.
- 志望動機 (motivation) — why this company and role.
- 自己PR (self-promotion) — your strengths with examples.
- 本人希望記入欄 (personal requests) — usually 「貴社の規定に従います。」 ("I will follow your company's policies") unless you have a specific need.
Newer template versions make gender optional.
The shokumu keirekisho (職務経歴書)
This is closer to a Western CV, usually 1–2 A4 pages, and it has more freedom of format:
- A short career summary (職務要約).
- For each employer: period, company overview (industry, size), your role, responsibilities and concrete achievements with numbers.
- Skills and qualifications (活かせる経験・知識・スキル).
- Self-PR, tying your experience to the role.
Tips for foreign applicants
- Use polite, formal Japanese (keigo) and consistent dates — either the Western calendar or the Japanese era system throughout, not a mix.
- Make your Japanese level clear with a JLPT level if you have one.
- Mention your visa status (在留資格) if you are already in Japan.
- Have a native speaker check your documents if possible.
Generate both documents
Choose Japan in Zyctra's CV builder and give it your details or your current CV. Zyctra writes a rirekisho in the standard order — including oldest-first history ending with 以上 — and a matching shokumu keirekisho, in Japanese or English.
Topics: CV Writing, Japan, Asia, Job Search