Daily Life Lessons · Work
Understand the items generally written on a Japanese résumé and how to write them, understand that you don't have to write personal information unrelated to your ability to do the job, and be able to make your own résumé.
A résumé (履歴書) is a document that shows your education, work history, qualifications and so on when you apply for a job. There is no fixed format, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省) also provides a sample format. In this sample, you can choose whether or not to fill in the gender field, and there are no fields for spouse, dependents or commuting time.
Typically you write your name, address, contact details, education, work history, licenses and qualifications, reasons for applying and so on. Use either the Western calendar (西暦) or the Japanese era calendar (和暦) consistently for years, and use a recently taken photo. Write the names of foreign schools and qualifications accurately, and it is a good idea to include your Japanese language level. Whether it should be handwritten or made on a computer, how to submit it and so on differ by company, so check the job posting.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare asks companies not to request information unrelated to ability, such as your registered domicile (本籍) or place of birth, your family's occupations, religion or the political party you support.
履歴書（りれきしょ）は、仕事に 応募（おうぼ）する ときに 出す 紙です。
ふつう 書く こと： - 名前・住所・電話番号・メール - 学歴（がくれき）：卒業した 学校 - 職歴（しょくれき）：前に した 仕事 - 免許（めんきょ）・資格（しかく）、日本語の レベル - 志望動機（しぼうどうき）：この 会社で 働きたい 理由
年は 西暦（せいれき 2026年）か 和暦（われき 令和8年）の どちらかに そろえます。写真は 最近（さいきん） とった ものを はります。 手で 書くか パソコンで 作るかは、会社で ちがいます。募集（ぼしゅう）の 案内を 見ましょう。
本籍（ほんせき）、家族の 仕事、宗教（しゅうきょう）、支持政党（しじせいとう）などは、仕事の 力と 関係 ありません。
In the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's sample résumé, what about the gender field?
The gender field in the sample is optional, and you may leave it blank.
Which is the correct way to write years?
Using either the Western calendar (e.g. 2026) or the Japanese era calendar (e.g. Reiwa 8 / 令和8年) consistently makes it easier to read.
Which field is NOT in the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's sample format?
Because they are highly private, the fields for spouse, dependents and commuting time were removed from the sample format.
Which information has the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare asked companies not to request in hiring?
Religion, the political party you support, registered domicile, family occupations and so on are unrelated to ability and may lead to employment discrimination.
How do you decide whether to handwrite it or make it on a computer?
The rules differ by company. Check the job posting, and if you don't know, ask the company.
Q. How should I write my education at a foreign school?
A. Write the official name of the school, and if necessary add the country name and an explanation in Japanese. Write the year and month of entering and graduating using the same calendar as the other fields.
Q. Should I write my status of residence?
A. Because companies need to confirm that you have a status that allows you to work, you may be asked about your status of residence and period of stay, or asked to show your residence card. Follow the job posting or the company's instructions about whether to write it.
Q. What kind of photo should I use?
A. Generally, use a recently taken photo of you facing the front. Check the company's instructions on the size and number of photos.
This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.
Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-10-03
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original