How to Fill in the Awards and Penalties Section of a Japanese Resume: Writing "None" Correctly with Examples
"What am I supposed to write in the awards and penalties section of my resume?" "There's nothing relevant for me—can I just leave it blank?" Many job seekers in their 20s and second-career applicants get stuck on this section. The terms "awards" and "penalties" rarely come up in daily life, so without a clear standard, the pen tends to freeze.
This article explains the correct way to fill in the awards and penalties section of a Japanese resume, written for applicants in their 20s and recent second-career changers. We cover the proper way to write "none," specific criteria for what counts as an award or a penalty, whether traffic violations and TOEIC scores qualify, and how to handle resume formats that omit this section entirely. By the end, you'll know exactly how to approach this field for your situation.
Before you write, get a firm grip on what "awards" and "penalties" actually refer to. Since these terms aren't part of everyday vocabulary, trying to fill in the field without understanding the definitions often leads to misjudgment.
"Awards" in this section refer to honors, prizes, and formal recognition you've received. Concrete examples include placing in a national or international competition or receiving an award from a national, prefectural, or municipal authority. Honors given inside a school or company are not, in principle, written here (we cover this in detail later).
"Penalties" in this section refer to a criminal record—specifically, a finalized guilty verdict under criminal law. Concrete examples include imprisonment with or without labor, fines, short-term detention, and minor fines. Administrative penalties such as traffic ticket fines and minor speeding violations do not fall under "penalties." Detailed examples appear later in this article.
Companies include the awards and penalties section to gain a more rounded picture of the applicant. "Awards" provide a window into your strengths and accomplishments, while "penalties" help the company assess whether a relationship of trust can be built. This section is not designed to disqualify candidates—it's a space for mutual understanding.
Start by recognizing that not all resume formats include an awards and penalties section. Whether you need to write anything depends on the format you use.
If your resume has an awards and penalties section, you must complete it. Leaving it blank reads as a missing entry or, worse, raises suspicion that you're hiding something. Even when nothing applies, the rule is to write "None."
Many recent resume formats omit the awards and penalties section. The standard format recommended by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the current JIS-standard resume format do not include it. If you choose a format without this section, you have no obligation to volunteer information about awards or penalties.
Regardless of whether the section appears on the resume, if an interviewer asks directly, "Do you have any awards or penalties?" you have a duty to answer truthfully. Concealment that's discovered later can be grounds for rescinding a job offer or termination on the basis of misrepresentation. The principle is simple: if you're asked, don't hide it.
Most applicants in their 20s and second-career changers won't have anything to declare in this section. Here's how to handle that case correctly, with a sample layout.
When you have nothing to declare, write "None" (in Japanese: 賞罰なし) on a single line, centered within the section. "なし" alone also works. Centering the text shows that you intentionally chose to write "none" rather than overlooking the field.
Sample layout:
None
—End
After writing "None," add "以上" (meaning "end" or "that is all") right-aligned on the next line. This is standard business document etiquette in Japan, signaling "there is nothing more to write below this point." Skipping it can prompt the reviewer to suspect a missing entry, so make sure it's there.
Some resume formats combine the education, work history, and awards and penalties fields into one large frame. In that case, after the last work history entry (under "現在に至る" if currently employed, or under your last departure date if not), leave a blank line, write "賞罰" (awards and penalties) centered, then on the next line write "None." Close with right-aligned "以上" as usual. For more on "現在に至る," see our companion article on its proper usage.
Some applicants write "特になし" ("nothing in particular"), but "賞罰なし" ("None") is the standard expression for this section. "特になし" can read as a perfunctory fill-in and lower the impression of the document. Even though it's brief, "賞罰なし" is the proper register for the Japanese hiring market.
"I have a few awards, but do they count?" Here are the criteria and concrete examples for what qualifies. People in their 20s often have more eligible entries than they realize.
Honors from national-level or international-level competitions qualify. If you placed or competed in a national tournament during your school years through a club or contest, you can list it confidently. Examples include placing third at the All-Japan ○○ Championship, winning a gold medal at an international ○○ competition, or winning the All-Japan High School Athletic Meet (Inter-High).
Recognition from national, prefectural, or municipal bodies and other public institutions qualifies. Examples include the Minister of Education Award, the ○○ Prefectural Governor's Award, or the ○○ Mayor's Award. Letters of appreciation or commendations from public agencies for volunteer or community service work can also be listed in some cases.
Awards from industry associations, public academic societies, or widely recognized private organizations also qualify. Examples include an Outstanding Paper Award from a recognized academic society or placing in a national event hosted by an industry body. If the award relates to the role you're applying for, it doubles as supporting evidence in your self-introduction.
When listing an award, pair the date with the formal name of the award.
Sample:
20XX/XX All-Japan ○○ Championship 3rd place
20XX/XX ○○ Prefectural Governor's Award
—End
Even genuine honors don't always belong here. Below are the cases applicants in their 20s most often misjudge.
Internal awards such as Sales MVP, quarterly recognition, or a President's Award don't go in this section. They're internal evaluations rather than external recognition. That said, internal awards are valuable for your application—communicate them through the self-introduction field or the achievements section of your work history document.
Honors awarded inside a school—perfect attendance awards, academic excellence awards, scholarships—generally don't go here either. They have low public recognition, making it hard for the hiring company to evaluate them objectively. If you want to highlight academic achievements, do so as concrete episodes in your self-introduction.
TOEIC scores, bookkeeping certificates, real estate license, IT Passport, and similar certifications are not awards. They go in the licenses and certifications section. Don't confuse the two.
Placing in small hobby tournaments or local-level events conventionally isn't included here. The line can be blurry, but the criterion is whether the event has national-level recognition or higher. When in doubt, mention it in your self-introduction or work history document instead.
Now for the criteria around "penalties." Both over-disclosing and concealing can cause problems, so the standard needs to be precise.
"Penalties" in this section refer to a criminal record from a finalized guilty verdict—imprisonment with or without labor, fines, short-term detention, or minor fines. These come from acts that violate the Criminal Code or special criminal statutes and result in punishment. They're also called "前科" (criminal record) in Japanese.
Only sentences that have become final go here. Cases where you were merely arrested (with the possibility of non-prosecution), indicted but still on trial without a verdict, or where prosecution was declined—none of these need to be listed. A criminal record means a finalized guilty verdict; anything before that point isn't covered here.
If you ever do need to list one, keep it factual and brief.
Sample:
20XX/XX Fined for ○○
—End
There's no need to write a long account of the circumstances or your remorse on the resume itself. Be ready to explain the situation and current improvements briefly if asked in the interview.
This section covers cases where applicants in their 20s most often hesitate—starting with traffic violations.
Fines paid for minor traffic infractions—speeding, illegal parking, running a red light—are classified as administrative penalties, not criminal ones. They don't go in this section. Demerit points on your license also fall under administrative measures, so they're not listed either.
Some traffic offenses do reach the criminal level—driving under the influence (with or without intoxication), driving without a license, hit-and-run, and negligent driving causing death or injury. If you received a verdict at the level of a fine or above for any of these, list it. If you're applying for a sales role with driving duties, expect interview questions about your driving record—prepare your response in advance if relevant.
Cases that ended in non-prosecution or suspended indictment after arrest don't appear here, because no guilty verdict was ever finalized. Without a record on file, there's no obligation to disclose.
Incidents that occurred during the age range covered by Japan's Juvenile Act are, in principle, not subject to disclosure on a resume. The Juvenile Act emphasizes the "sound development of minors" and is structured to avoid blocking social reintegration through prior delinquency. That said, prepare your response in case an interviewer asks directly.
Under Article 34-2 of Japan's Penal Code, if a fixed period passes after sentencing without re-offense, the sentence loses legal effect—five years for fines or lighter, ten years for imprisonment or heavier. Once that effect lapses, the record is no longer treated as a "penalty" legally and doesn't need to be listed. Some industries and roles, however, conduct their own background checks.
Here are your options when using a resume format without an awards and penalties section. This applies whether you have honors to highlight or feel uneasy about the absence of the field.
Even without an awards section, you can highlight your honors in the self-introduction or hobbies and special skills field. "My third-place finish at the national ○○ tournament taught me to plan and persist toward a goal" reframes the honor as evidence of a strength. For more, see our article on writing self-introductions.
If you want to log honors chronologically even without a dedicated section, write "賞罰" (awards and penalties) at the end of the education and work history field, then list the date and award name. Leave a blank line after the last work history entry, write "賞罰" centered, then add the specific honors. Close with right-aligned "以上."
If you have a criminal record and feel reluctant to disclose voluntarily, you can choose a resume format that omits the awards and penalties section. You won't later be accused of misrepresentation for not writing something the format never asked for. Still, if asked directly in an interview, the rule is to answer honestly—concealment discovered after hiring carries the risk of dismissal for cause.
Run a self-check before submitting to make sure none of these five common mistakes apply to your draft.
Submitting with the field blank is the single biggest mistake to avoid. Write "None" without exception. A blank field reads as carelessness and lowers the document's overall quality—it can also raise suspicion that you're hiding a record.
Don't list internal company awards, perfect attendance awards, or in-school academic honors here. "Awards" in this section are reserved for honors from external public bodies or nationally recognized organizations. Showcase internal recognition in the self-introduction or work history document instead.
Writing "None" when you do have a criminal record counts as misrepresentation. It can become grounds for rescinding the offer or dismissal. Your three options are: choose a format without the section, write briefly and factually if the section exists, or answer honestly when asked in the interview.
Listing fines from minor traffic violations (speeding, parking) here is over-disclosure. They're administrative penalties and don't qualify as "penalties" in this section. Including them can actually signal that you don't understand business document conventions.
For both awards and penalties, excessive detail is a mistake. There's no need to spell out the reasoning behind an award or the circumstances of a sentence. List the date and the formal name of the award; for a penalty, list the date and the verdict—nothing more. Save any explanation for the interview.
Even if your resume doesn't mention them, awards and penalties can come up in interviews. Prepare so you can respond without flinching.
If nothing applies, a simple "I don't have any" is enough. If you have an honor worth mentioning, you can soften it: "I haven't received any awards from public bodies, but I placed in the top ○ at the national ○○ tournament during my school years." This adds context without misrepresenting the formal qualification bar.
If you have a prior record, the rule is to answer honestly and concisely. "In 20XX, I received a fine for ○○" delivers the fact, then pair it with your current state and outlook: "I've reflected on it and have been working on ○○ to prevent recurrence." There's no need to go into deep detail—answering within the scope of what was asked builds trust.
If a record relates to your target role—say, a traffic-related conviction for a sales position with driving duties, or a financial offense for an accounting role—explain how it affects your ability to perform the role and what specific safeguards you've put in place. Specificity reassures.
There are privacy reasons you might prefer to stay silent. Even so, declining to answer or being evasive when asked about awards or penalties significantly damages trust with the interviewer. It can also be treated as a breach of disclosure duty later. Even if there are reasons you'd rather not share, prepare to answer honestly—it's the safer path.
Depending on the industry, awards and penalties can be checked rigorously. Here are notes for industries common in 20s career changes.
Financial institutions and insurance companies check this section strictly for compliance reasons. With a prior record, you may face role limitations such as being unable to hold certain positions. Confirm eligibility requirements in the job posting before applying, and ask the company or your recruiter about any unclear points.
Public sector and government-affiliated roles conduct detailed checks. The Local Public Service Act and National Public Service Act include disqualification clauses, and certain criminal histories make candidates ineligible. Read the application requirements carefully.
Japan's Security Services Act covers the security industry, and the Road Traffic Act applies to transportation, with provisions restricting employment for people with specific criminal records. For these industries, you may also be checked on administrative penalties—such as serious traffic violations for transportation.
Healthcare, education, and care services emphasize trust because of the interpersonal nature of the work. Some industries have established systems for verifying sex offense records, and individual employers may run their own checks. For licensed professions, certain criminal records that fall under the disqualification clauses for the license can prevent employment, so confirm the requirements before applying.
TOEIC scores, bookkeeping, real estate licenses, TOEFL, and similar certifications are not awards—they go in the licenses and certifications section. Highlight them there. For role-relevant certifications, mentioning them again in the self-introduction creates a useful reinforcement effect.
Yes—appearing or placing at the All-Japan High School Athletic Meet (Inter-High) qualifies as an "award." For applicants in their 20s and second-career changers, a national-level appearance during school years signals youthful drive and effort, so list it where it fits. If space is tight, mention it in the self-introduction.
For a fine, write the date and a brief description, like "20XX/XX Fined for ○○." Fines fall under criminal penalties and must be listed if your resume includes the awards and penalties section. Save the details for the interview, where you can give a brief explanation.
Yes—honors from foreign public bodies or international organizations belong in this section. Include the formal name of the award (preferably with both the original-language name and a Japanese translation), the awarding body, and the date. If the company you're applying to operates globally, an international honor carries strong appeal.
If the section is too narrow to hold what you need to list, use the "Special Notes" or self-introduction section of your work history document for the details. List only the main honors in the resume's awards section, add "(see work history document for details)," and expand there. This is a common solution.
Under Article 34-2 of Japan's Penal Code, if a fixed period passes after a sentence is served without re-offense (five years for fines or lighter, ten years for imprisonment or heavier), the sentence loses legal effect. After that, it's no longer treated as a record, and the disclosure obligation ends. Note that some industries and roles still conduct independent background checks.
If the matter was resolved through settlement and never reached criminal indictment or verdict, it doesn't constitute a criminal record. There's no need to list it. That said, some employers do background checks that could surface it, so be thoughtful about the roles you target.
The awards and penalties section often makes applicants in their 20s and second-career changers more anxious than it needs to. The judgment criteria are simple, and three principles will get you through it without trouble.
First, if the section exists, fill it in. Even when nothing applies, write "None" and close with "以上." A blank field reads as a missed entry.
Second, understand the criteria for what counts. "Awards" means honors at the national level or above, or recognition from public bodies. "Penalties" means a finalized criminal verdict only. Internal awards, perfect attendance, and minor traffic violations don't go here.
Third, never misrepresent. Hiding a record by writing "None" is misrepresentation. When there's no obligation to disclose—using a resume format without the section, or not being asked in interviews—omitting is fine. But when asked, answer honestly: it's the path that builds trust.
For overall resume writing, see the complete resume guide. For your work history document, see our complete manual with templates and role-specific examples. For your self-introduction, see our guide to finding your strengths and using role-specific templates. Use this article to finish a resume that won't lose points in this section, and clear the screening stage with confidence.
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