Isshinjo no Tsugou: When to Use “Personal Reasons” in Japan

Isshinjo no tsugou (一身上の都合) means “personal reasons.” It is a conventional way to summarize an employee’s own circumstances without detailing private matters. It should not replace an accurate account of an employer-initiated departure, a contract ending or another different situation.

Match the phrase to the document

These are illustrative phrases. The title of a resignation document does not by itself determine its legal effect. Read the employer’s form and understand what the document is intended to communicate.

Cases that need a more accurate description

• An employer proposes departure or reduces staff: submitting a document does not automatically make the departure your own initiative.
• A fixed-term contract ends: distinguish expiry, early departure and whether renewal was requested.
• Retirement at the applicable retirement age: a direct description such as 定年により退職 may fit the work-history entry.
• The reason is disputed: record the difference between the employer’s account and yours before accepting generic wording.

The phrase alone does not settle unemployment-insurance classification. Hello Work considers the separation record and relevant information from the parties. If the record does not match what happened, take supporting notices and correspondence to the office. The related separation guide explains benefits in more detail.

Share private details only for a clear purpose

A farewell message to colleagues or clients does not need a detailed personal history. A particular procedure or accommodation discussion may require more information. Identify the recipient, purpose and necessary scope before deciding what to share.

家庭の事情により退職を希望しております。詳しい事情については、人事のご担当者に必要な範囲でご相談できればと思います。退職希望日は〇月〇日です。

This fictional example requests departure for family reasons and offers to discuss necessary details with HR. Use it only if the reason is true. Keeping an explanation brief is different from inventing another reason.

Keep application materials consistent

A resume records the work-history fact briefly; an interview can explain the background and what you want to do next. A genuine employee-initiated move can be summarized as personal reasons on the resume and discussed as a desire to expand responsibilities at interview. Do not rewrite an employer’s business closure as a departure you freely chose.

A four-step check

1. Write down the dates, who initiated the departure and the contract position.
2. Identify whether the document concerns resignation, recruitment or insurance procedures.
3. Choose a concise description that preserves those facts.
4. If the employer’s explanation is disputed, seek advice before signing.

Related guides

• Employer-Initiated Separation in Japan: Reasons, Benefits and Procedures (Japanese)
• Resignation Notices and Requests in Japan: Wording and Submission (Japanese)
• How to Record Job Endings on a Japanese Resume (Japanese)
• Farewell Email Templates for Leaving a Job in Japan (Japanese)

Sources and further checks

Public information checked on October 4, 2026. These sources concern Japan; verify the conditions that apply to your case.

• 厚生労働省：退職に関する労働条件の学習資料
• ハローワーク：特定受給資格者・特定理由離職者の範囲

Related Otame4 guides above are in Japanese. Japanese wording in the examples is provided for applications and workplace documents in Japan.