If you are considering a career move to Japan, congratulations — the Japanese job market is booming, especially in technology, engineering, and English education. But before you start applying, there is something critical you need to understand: a Western-style CV will not work in Japan.

Japanese employers expect a completely different document called the Rirekisho (履歴書). It is not a minor variation of a Western CV — it is an entirely separate format with its own rules, structure, and cultural expectations.

What Is a Rirekisho?

The Rirekisho is Japan's standardised resume format. Unlike the flexible, freeform CVs used in the UK, Canada, or the US, the Rirekisho is a rigid tabular document with pre-defined fields. Every section has a specific location on the page, and deviating from this structure signals to employers that you have not done your research.

Think of it as filling out an official government form, not writing a personal marketing document.

The Key Differences From Western CVs

1. A Photo Is Mandatory

While Western countries actively discourage photos on CVs (and some reject them outright), Japan requires a professional headshot. The standard size is 3cm × 4cm, placed in the top-right corner of the document.

The photo must be:

• Taken in a photo booth or professional studio
• Against a plain white or light blue background
• In business attire (suit and tie for men, business blouse for women)
• Recent (taken within the last 3 months)

2. Chronological Order (Oldest First)

This catches almost every international candidate off guard. Western CVs universally list your most recent experience first (reverse-chronological). The Rirekisho does the exact opposite — your oldest education and work entries come first, building a narrative from your origins to your current position.

3. Reason for Leaving Each Position

Japanese employers expect you to state why you left each previous job. This field is mandatory on the Rirekisho. Acceptable reasons include "career advancement," "company restructuring," or "contract completion." Avoid negative language about former employers — Japanese business culture places enormous value on professional discretion.

4. Personal Details Are Expected

Unlike the UK and Canada, where personal details are actively discouraged, the Japanese Rirekisho includes fields for:

• Date of birth
• Gender
• Nationality
• Current address and phone number
• Your nearest train station (so employers can estimate your commute)

5. Hobbies and Special Skills Are Standard

The Rirekisho has a dedicated section for hobbies and interests (趣味・特技). This is not filler — Japanese employers genuinely use this section to assess cultural fit and to find conversation topics for interviews. Take it seriously and list genuine interests.

Rirekisho vs. Shokumu Keirekisho

Many international candidates do not realise that Japanese employers often require two documents:

1. Rirekisho (履歴書): Your standardised personal, educational, and employment history. Think of it as the "facts" document.
2. Shokumu Keirekisho (職務経歴書): A detailed work history document that expands on each role with bullet points about your responsibilities and achievements. This is closer to a Western CV in style but follows its own formatting conventions.

For international companies (gaishikei) operating in Japan, a single English-language CV may be acceptable. But for traditional Japanese companies, preparing both documents is essential.

International Companies in Japan

If you are targeting a gaishikei (foreign-owned company operating in Japan, like Google Tokyo, Amazon Japan, or McKinsey Japan), the rules are slightly different. These companies often accept English-language resumes and are more flexible with formatting.

However, even at gaishikei, demonstrating familiarity with Japanese business norms is a strong advantage. Submitting a properly formatted English-language Rirekisho shows cultural awareness and effort — qualities that always impress Japanese hiring managers.

Convert Your CV to Japanese Format Instantly

Formatting a Rirekisho from scratch can be intimidating, especially if you are unfamiliar with the tabular layout. Our tool takes your existing CV and automatically restructures it into the Japanese Rirekisho format — reordering your history chronologically, adding the required photo field, and organising your data into the correct tabular structure.