The Meaning of "Isshinjo no Tsugou" (Personal Reasons) | How to Correctly Write It in a Letter of Resignation, with Examples
When you sit down to write a letter of resignation, one of the first phrases you'll likely encounter is "isshinjo no tsugou" (一身上の都合), often translated as "personal reasons." Many people think, "I've seen it before, but I can't quite explain what it means," or "I'm not sure whether it applies to my situation."
"Isshinjo no tsugou" refers to personal matters concerning one's own life or circumstances, and it is a set phrase widely used in business documents such as resignation letters, resumes, and notices declining job offers. Used correctly, it lets you avoid disclosing detailed reasons. However, using it incorrectly can put you at a disadvantage when it comes to unemployment insurance and other matters.
This article provides a thorough explanation of the exact meaning of "isshinjo no tsugou," how to correctly write it in a resignation letter, cases where it should not be used, and ready-to-use example sentences. Please use it as a reference to avoid trouble at the time of resignation and to proceed smoothly with your procedures.
Let's start by confirming the meaning and background of the phrase "isshinjo no tsugou" itself. Once you understand the meaning correctly, you'll be able to judge how to use it appropriately.
"Isshinjo no tsugou" (pronounced isshinjō no tsugō) is a phrase meaning personal matters or issues concerning one's own life or circumstances. The Japanese dictionary Digital Daijisen defines it as "matters relating to one's own life or circumstances; personal issues or affairs."
It is a set phrase used in situations where there is no need, or it is awkward, to convey detailed reasons to the other party, such as when resigning or declining a job offer. It politely conveys the nuance of "I have personal circumstances, and I will not explain any further than that."
"Isshinjo" is often misunderstood to refer only to the person themselves, but in fact it also includes circumstances within a close range that involve the person. Specifically, the following matters fall under "isshinjo no tsugou."
Because circumstances involving family or the household can also be expressed as "isshinjo no tsugou," it is useful when you want to keep private matters confidential.
There are similar expressions to "isshinjo no tsugou" such as "jiko tsugou" (one's own convenience) and "shiji" (private matters), but they differ in usage and nuance.
It is standard etiquette to use "isshinjo no tsugou" in formal business documents such as resignation letters and resumes. "Jiko tsugou" is mainly used as an administrative classification, such as on applications for unemployment insurance or documents related to Hello Work (Japan's public employment service).
"Isshinjo no tsugou" is used mainly in three situations. Make sure you understand how to use it in each scenario.
The most representative use is in a letter of resignation (taishoku-todoke) or request for resignation (taishoku-negai). The standard expression is "For personal reasons, I hereby tender my resignation," and there is no need to write detailed reasons in the document.
The purpose of stating the reason for resignation in the letter is "to clarify whether the resignation is voluntary or due to company circumstances." Therefore, if it is a voluntary resignation, simply writing "for personal reasons" is sufficient.
"Isshinjo no tsugou" is also used in the work history section of resumes and CVs used in job searches. When listing past resignations, if the resignation was voluntary, write "Resigned for personal reasons."
Example entries are as follows.
Detailed reasons for resignation are not required in the work history section. If you want to share more about why you resigned, or if it was a positive reason such as study abroad or obtaining a qualification, share it specifically in the "self-PR" section of your CV or during the interview itself.
When you receive offers from multiple companies, you can also use "isshinjo no tsugou" when notifying the companies you are not joining. If it is difficult to state directly that "I decided to join another company," writing "For personal reasons, I would like to respectfully decline the offer" allows you to convey your decision without causing offense.
The same applies to withdrawing partway through the selection process — you have no obligation to provide detailed circumstances to the company. However, it is good etiquette to always include an apology and an expression of gratitude.
This section explains, item by item, the correct way to incorporate "isshinjo no tsugou" into a letter of resignation.
There are seven items that must be included in a letter of resignation.
For the addressee, use the honorific "dono" rather than "sama." Write your full name and affix your personal seal (mitome-in or sanmonban). Avoid using a Shachihata (pre-inked stamp) on official documents.
"Taishoku-todoke" (letter of resignation) and "taishoku-negai" (request for resignation) are similar documents, but they differ in nature.
Use "taishoku-todoke" if you want to ensure your resignation goes through; use "taishoku-negai" if you first want to consult with the company about your intent to resign. The closing phrases also differ, so choose according to your purpose.
A typical letter of resignation reads as follows.
Letter of Resignation Watakushi-gi For personal reasons, I hereby tender my resignation, effective [date in Reiwa era]. [Date in Reiwa era] (Department) XX Department (Name) XX XX [Personal Seal] XX Co., Ltd. Representative Director / President XX XX, dono
"Watakushi-gi" is an opening phrase meaning "with apologies for speaking of myself." Customarily, it is written one line lower than the main text. Writing "shiji" instead is also acceptable.
Because "taishoku-negai" is a document that "requests" something, the closing phrase should be softer.
Request for Resignation Watakushi-gi For personal reasons, and with the utmost apologies for the inconvenience, I would respectfully like to request to resign, effective [date in Reiwa era]. [Date in Reiwa era] (Department) XX Department (Name) XX XX [Personal Seal] XX Co., Ltd. Representative Director / President XX XX, dono
Adding the phrase "with the utmost apologies" shows that the request is being made for your own reasons, giving a sincere impression.
There are several points to keep in mind when writing a letter of resignation. Make sure to check them to avoid trouble.
Writing simply "for personal reasons" is sufficient — there is no need to write specific reasons such as a new job, marriage, or health. In fact, writing details may give the company room for unnecessary speculation and become a source of trouble.
That said, if you are asked verbally during a meeting or interview, conveying an acceptable surface-level reason (family matters, health, etc.) depending on the situation is a tip for a smooth resignation.
A letter of resignation contains two dates: the "submission date" (the date the document is prepared/submitted) and the "resignation date" (the actual day you leave the company). Be careful not to confuse the two.
The resignation date should be the date agreed upon with the company in advance, and the submission date should be the actual date you submit the document. Under Japanese civil law, resignation is possible two weeks after submission, but because many companies' employment regulations require notice "at least one month in advance," it is best to submit with plenty of time to spare.
There is a similar word, "taisha," but in written documents "taishoku" is the correct choice. "Taisha" can mean both "to leave the company permanently" and "to leave the office for the day," so it can cause confusion.
The traditional format for a letter of resignation is handwritten and vertical, but in recent years more companies accept versions created on a computer in horizontal format. While following your company's customs, choosing handwritten and vertical is a safe default if you're unsure.
Also check the etiquette around stationery and envelopes.
While it's a convenient phrase, "isshinjo no tsugou" cannot be used for every kind of resignation. Misuse may put you at a disadvantage when claiming unemployment insurance, so be careful.
In cases of bankruptcy, layoffs, dismissal, or being asked to resign — circumstances on the company's side — the resignation is classified as "involuntary resignation," and "isshinjo no tsugou" should not be used.
Typical examples of involuntary resignation include the following.
For involuntary resignations, unemployment benefits start earlier and last longer, so if a case that should be treated as involuntary is recorded as "isshinjo no tsugou," you may suffer a significant financial loss. If the company tries to process it as voluntary resignation, you can file an objection at Hello Work.
When a contract employee or dispatched (temporary) worker resigns due to the expiration of their contract period, it is appropriate to write "Resigned due to expiration of contract period." Writing "isshinjo no tsugou" may cause it to be misclassified as a voluntary resignation.
However, if the worker did not wish to renew the contract, it is treated as voluntary; if the company did not renew it, it is treated as involuntary. The classification depends on the specific case, so confirm in advance.
When resignation is forced due to circumstances clearly the responsibility of the company — such as power harassment, sexual harassment, or illegal overtime — you should not use "isshinjo no tsugou."
That said, companies often refuse to acknowledge harassment, so it is important to retain objective evidence (recordings, emails, medical certificates, etc.). With evidence, Hello Work may approve a change from voluntary to involuntary classification.
Let's look at how to write the main text of a letter of resignation depending on the reason. For voluntary resignations, use "isshinjo no tsugou"; for involuntary resignations, write the specific reason.
For personal reasons, I hereby tender my resignation, effective [date in Reiwa era].
Switching jobs or becoming independent is the most typical case of voluntary resignation. Writing just "for personal reasons" in the letter of resignation is sufficient.
For personal reasons, I hereby tender my resignation, effective [date in Reiwa era].
Marriage and childbirth fall under the person's own circumstances, so "isshinjo no tsugou" applies. There is no need to write specifically "due to marriage."
For personal reasons, I hereby tender my resignation, effective [date in Reiwa era].
Family caregiving relates to family circumstances rather than the person directly, but since "isshinjo" also includes family matters, it's fine to write "for personal reasons." Note that resignation due to caregiving may qualify for treatment closer to involuntary resignation under unemployment insurance as a "qualified resignee for specific reasons," provided the requirements are met.
For personal reasons, I hereby tender my resignation, effective [date in Reiwa era].
Even when the reason is illness or recuperation, it is common to write "for personal reasons" in the document. You do not need to disclose the name of the illness or symptoms. When explaining to your supervisor, phrases like "to focus on treatment" or "for health reasons" work well.
For involuntary resignations, do not use "isshinjo no tsugou"; clearly state the specific reason.
Following your company's recommendation to resign, I hereby tender my resignation, effective [date in Reiwa era].
Below are additional expressions for various situations.
When listing past resignations in the work history section of a resume, write "Resigned for personal reasons" to the right of the year and month of resignation.
If you are currently employed, write "To present" and end the section with "End of record" on the final line as a matter of etiquette.
Here is an example of an email declining a job offer. Using a subject line like "Notification of Declining the Job Offer (Your Name)" makes the message clear.
Subject: Notification of Declining the Job Offer (XX XX) XX Co., Ltd. HR Department, Mr./Ms. XX Thank you for your continued assistance. My name is XX XX. Thank you very much for your offer of employment the other day. I sincerely regret to inform you that, for personal reasons, I would like to decline the offer. I deeply apologize for not being able to meet your expectations despite the valuable time you have spent on me. I also apologize for conveying this by email when, ideally, I should be apologizing in person. In closing, I wish your company continued success and prosperity. XX XX Phone: 090-XXXX-XXXX Email: xxx@xxxxx.ne.jp
It is good etiquette to notify the company of your decision to decline as soon as it is finalized. The most polite approach is to convey the decision by phone first and then follow up with an email.
You can write "Resigned for personal reasons" on your resume, but in an interview you'll typically be asked for the "specific reason for resigning." Answering only "for personal reasons" here may give a poor impression.
Hiring managers usually have three main reasons for asking about your reason for resigning.
In other words, they are using your answer to assess "whether the same problem could happen again" and "whether you'll stay long-term."
Avoid expressing dissatisfaction or grievances about your previous job directly. A good tip is to rephrase them in positive terms. Here are some examples.
The idea is not to distort the facts, but to retell the same facts from a forward-looking perspective. Linking your answer to your motivation by adding "and that's why I want to do XX at your company" makes it more persuasive.
For sensitive reasons related to privacy (family issues, health issues, etc.), it is also acceptable to answer with just "due to family circumstances" or "for health reasons" without disclosing details.
Even so, it is advisable to add reassuring follow-up such as "The issue has now been resolved and will not affect my work" or "I would like to stay long-term going forward" to ease the employer's concerns about hiring you.
When you write "isshinjo no tsugou," the resignation is generally processed as "voluntary resignation" for unemployment insurance purposes. The conditions for receiving benefits differ significantly between voluntary and involuntary resignations, so take note.
The main differences between voluntary and involuntary resignation in terms of unemployment insurance are as follows.
If you write "isshinjo no tsugou" in a case that should be classified as involuntary, the start of your benefits will be significantly delayed and the total amount of benefits will be reduced.
If you are unsure whether your case is voluntary or involuntary, consult Hello Work or the Labor Standards Inspection Office before submitting your letter of resignation. If there is recommendation to resign, harassment, long working hours, or unpaid wages, you may be able to have your case reclassified as involuntary.
Even after a voluntary resignation, if you have objective evidence, you may be treated as a "qualified recipient under special circumstances" or "qualified resignee for specific reasons," which is closer to involuntary classification. When your separation slip arrives, always check the reason for separation, and file an objection if it differs from reality.
Legally, an employee has no obligation to give a detailed explanation of their reason for resigning. Simply saying "for personal reasons" is enough — you cannot be forced to explain further. That said, providing an appropriate, surface-level reason can be helpful for ensuring a smooth resignation.
Using "shiji desu ga" as an opening in conversation or email is fine. However, in the main text of a letter of resignation, the standard wording is "for personal reasons." Combining both — as in "Watakushi-gi, kono tabi isshinjo no tsugou ni yori…" — produces an even more polite expression.
A resignation caused by power harassment should originally be classified as an "involuntary resignation." Writing "for personal reasons" causes it to be treated as voluntary, which puts you at a disadvantage with unemployment insurance, so we recommend against doing this lightly. Preserve evidence and consult Hello Work.
For the letter of resignation, writing "for personal reasons" is sufficient, and there is no need to tell your company that you have already secured a new job. In the work history section of your resume, simply write "Resigned for personal reasons," and discuss your forward-looking reasons during the interview.
A "request for resignation" (taishoku-negai) may be withdrawn until the company approves it. However, a "letter of resignation" (taishoku-todoke) finalizes your intent at the moment of submission and, in principle, cannot be withdrawn. Consider carefully before submitting; if you have any hesitation, it is safer to submit it as a "request for resignation."
"Isshinjo no tsugou" is a useful set phrase that conveys personal matters relating to oneself or one's family, and is widely used in letters of resignation, resumes, and notifications declining job offers. With just this single phrase, you can politely communicate that the resignation is voluntary without disclosing detailed reasons.
Let's review the key points of this article.
A letter of resignation is the last official document you exchange with the company that has supported you. Use "isshinjo no tsugou" correctly, with proper wording and etiquette, and achieve a smooth resignation without any trouble. Refer to this article to make solid preparations so you can take your next step forward with confidence.
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