Resignation Notices and Requests in Japan: Wording and Submission
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In Japan, a taishoku-negai (退職願) commonly requests an agreed departure, while a taishoku-todoke (退職届) commonly communicates a decision to resign. The heading alone does not determine the legal effect. Wording, context, delivery and acceptance matter.
Identify what you are communicating
Stage | Purpose | Question to resolve |
|---|---|---|
Exploratory conversation | Discuss options, including leaving | Could this be mistaken for a final decision? |
Request for agreement | Ask to leave on a proposed date | Who can accept on the employer’s behalf? |
Notice of resignation | Communicate the decision and date | What contract and notice rules apply? |
There is no universal requirement to submit both documents in sequence. Check the employer’s process and make the intention clear. If the company is asking you to leave, do not automatically use a template that describes the departure as your personal choice.
Two fictional wording examples
These Japanese examples illustrate the distinction. Replace dates, names and reasons with accurate information; they are not a determination of what applies to your contract.
A request for an agreed departure
退職願
私儀、このたび一身上の都合により、2026年11月30日をもって退職いたしたく、お願い申し上げます。
2026年10月20日
営業部 山田 太郎
株式会社〇〇 代表取締役〇〇様
The key wording asks to be allowed to leave on November 30.
A notice communicating the decision
退職届
私儀、このたび一身上の都合により、2026年11月30日をもって退職いたします。
2026年10月20日
営業部 山田 太郎
株式会社〇〇 代表取締役〇〇様
This wording states the intended departure. October 20 is the document date; November 30 is the employment end date. Neither is necessarily the last day physically worked. Use “personal reasons” only when it accurately describes the situation.
Prepare and submit
- Check whether your employment contract has a fixed end date, then read the workplace submission procedure.
- Separate the employment end date, last working day and requested paid-leave dates.
- Confirm the recipient and how receipt will be acknowledged. Use HR or an external labor advice service if approaching the manager is difficult.
- Keep your document and a record of delivery. Do not take confidential company or client files as part of this record.
Official Japanese guidance describes a general two-week notice rule for indefinite-term employment. Leaving during a fixed-term contract requires separate consideration, including applicable exceptions. Do not assume that every worker can leave immediately, or that an employer can indefinitely prevent resignation.
If you want to withdraw it
“Request” does not mean it can always be withdrawn, and “notice” does not mean reversal is impossible in every situation. The type of declaration and whether agreement has already been reached are relevant. Communicate the requested withdrawal promptly and document the response. Bring the actual wording and correspondence to a labor advice service or lawyer if there is a dispute.
Final checks
- Recipient, name, document date and employment end date are correct.
- The wording reflects a request or decision deliberately.
- The reason does not misrepresent an employer-initiated departure.
- Receipt is addressed; presentation alone is not enough.
Related guides
Sources and further checks
Public information checked on October 4, 2026. These sources concern Japan; verify the conditions that apply to your case.
Related Otame4 guides above are in Japanese. Japanese wording in the examples is provided for applications and workplace documents in Japan.
