Loading…
16 June 2026
If you're applying for jobs in Japan, your Western CV usually isn't enough. Japanese employers expect a rirekisho (履歴書) — a standardised résumé that follows a fixed format — and, for experienced hires, a shokumu-keirekisho (職務経歴書), a separate work-history document. The format is more rigid than a Western résumé, and that's the point: recruiters scan many rirekisho quickly and expect the same structure every time. This guide explains both documents, the sections that trip people up, what differs from a Western CV, and how to produce one fast.
Rirekisho (履歴書)
What it is: Standardised personal-history form: profile, education, work history, qualifications, motivation
When: Almost always required
Shokumu-keirekisho (職務経歴書)
What it is: Detailed career/work-history CV describing roles, achievements, and skills
When: For mid-career / experienced roles
The rirekisho follows a near-universal layout (often the JIS standard form). Filled top to bottom, it includes:
Date and personal details — name (with furigana reading), date of birth, gender, address, phone, email.
Photo — a formal ID-style photo, typically 3×4 cm, business attire, plain background, affixed top-right.
Education and work history (学歴・職歴) — listed chronologically, oldest first, with year and month. Education usually starts from junior-high graduation or high school; work history lists each employer with entry and exit.
Qualifications and licences (免許・資格) — driving licence, language tests (e.g. JLPT level), professional certifications, with dates.
Motivation (志望動機) — a short statement on why you want this specific role/company. This is the section that actually persuades.
Personal requests (本人希望記入欄) — preferences on location, start date, or conditions, kept brief and modest.
Where the rirekisho is a fixed form, the shokumu-keirekisho is freer and closer to a Western CV — but still conventionally structured. It expands on your career: each role with company, period, responsibilities, and concrete achievements (ideally with numbers). For experienced applicants, this is where you make your case; the rirekisho establishes the facts, the shokumu-keirekisho sells them.
Fixed format vs. free design. A rirekisho follows a set template; creative layouts are discouraged.
A photo is expected. Unlike many Western markets where photos are avoided, the rirekisho photo is standard.
Chronological, oldest-first. Western CVs lead with the most recent role; the rirekisho lists history forward in time.
Personal details are included. Date of birth and similar details that Western CVs omit are normal here.
Motivation matters. The 志望動機 statement, tailored to the specific company, carries real weight.
Neatness counts. Traditionally handwritten and error-free; today typed templates are widely accepted, but tidiness and consistency still signal diligence.
Use a standard template rather than designing your own — recruiters expect the familiar layout.
Tailor the motivation section to each company; a generic 志望動機 reads as low effort.
Get the photo right — formal attire, neutral expression, recent. Photo booths in Japan print rirekisho-sized sets.
Be consistent with dates — use the same era format throughout (Western years are widely fine).
Pair the two documents for experienced roles: a clean rirekisho plus a focused shokumu-keirekisho.
Proofread the furigana and contact details — small errors undercut the diligence the format is meant to show.
You can generate a properly formatted Japanese résumé without wrestling with templates using our Japanese CV builder — it lays out the rirekisho structure for you so you can focus on the content.
What is a rirekisho?
A rirekisho (履歴書) is Japan's standardised résumé form. It records your personal details, education and work history (oldest first), qualifications, a motivation statement, and any personal requests, usually with a formal photo affixed top-right.
What's the difference between a rirekisho and a shokumu-keirekisho?
The rirekisho is a fixed personal-history form almost always required. The shokumu-keirekisho (職務経歴書) is a separate, more detailed work-history CV describing your roles and achievements, expected mainly for mid-career or experienced applications.
Do I need a photo on my Japanese CV?
Yes — a formal ID-style photo (around 3×4 cm, business attire, plain background) is standard on a rirekisho and is normally affixed in the top-right box.
Should my rirekisho be handwritten?
Traditionally yes, and some employers still appreciate it, but typed rirekisho from a standard template are now widely accepted. Whichever you choose, neatness, accuracy, and consistency matter.
How do I list education and work history?
Chronologically with the oldest entries first, each with year and month. Education commonly starts from junior-high or high-school graduation; work history lists each employer's entry and exit dates.
What should I write in the motivation section?
A concise, company-specific statement on why you want that particular role and employer, connecting your background to what they need. Avoid generic text — tailoring it is what makes it persuasive.
Can I use my Western CV instead?
For many traditional Japanese employers, no — they expect a rirekisho. International companies and some startups are more flexible, but having a proper rirekisho ready is the safe default when applying in Japan.
Do I need Japanese to write a rirekisho?
For Japanese-language workplaces, a Japanese rirekisho is expected, and the motivation section especially benefits from natural Japanese. For roles that operate in English, an English résumé may suffice — but check each employer's expectations.
The rirekisho feels rigid because it's meant to be — that uniformity is what lets Japanese recruiters read it fast. Learn the structure, nail the photo and the motivation statement, add a focused shokumu-keirekisho if you're experienced, and you'll present exactly what employers expect. Build yours quickly with our Japanese CV builder, and once you've got the role, plan the move with the Path Finder.
This guide is general information, not career or legal advice. Employer expectations vary; confirm the required documents and format with each company or recruiter before applying.