How to Fill Out a Japanese Rirekisho: Field-by-Field Examples
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A rirekisho is a structured Japanese application document covering personal contact information, education, employment, qualifications and motivation. Check the employer’s format first, establish an accurate timeline, and then explain the connection with the job. Put detailed responsibilities and achievements in a separate shokumu-keirekisho when requested.
Prepare the facts first
- Read the vacancy for the deadline, file format, photograph requirements and submission method.
- List official school and employer names with accurate start and end months.
- Check qualification names, award dates and current validity.
- Choose relevant experience and a specific reason for applying.
If the format is open, the MHLW sample rirekisho is one option. Do not treat a particular commercial layout as a universal requirement.
What each field should accomplish
Field | Content | Check |
|---|---|---|
Date and contacts | Current document date, name and reliable contact details | Spelling and ability to receive replies |
Education | School, program and start/end dates | Completed versus expected graduation |
Employment | Employer, dates and relevant role or employment type | Agency employer versus client workplace |
Qualifications | Official name and date | Do not present a planned qualification as earned |
Motivation | Connection between experience and the actual role | Avoid a statement that could fit any employer |
Preferences | Necessary conditions, availability or contact restrictions | Distinguish requirements from matters for discussion |
One coherent fictional example
All names, dates and experience below are invented for illustration. Personal identification fields are omitted.
学歴
2019年4月 〇〇大学 経済学部 入学
2023年3月 〇〇大学 経済学部 卒業
職歴
2023年4月 株式会社サンプル商事 入社
営業部にて受注入力、納期確認、請求書作成を担当
現在に至る
以上
The applicant graduated in March 2023 and began a sales-administration role in April 2023, which continues at the time of application.
Motivation
現職では受注入力と納期確認を担当し、確認漏れを防ぐための引継ぎ表を作成しています。貴社の営業事務職で、受注から出荷まで担当者間の連携を支える仕事に取り組みたいと考え応募しました。
This example connects current order-processing work to the advertised role. Before adapting it, confirm that the new job actually involves this work and that your experience supports the statement.
Contact and start-date preferences
入社日は内定後にご相談させていただけますと幸いです。在職中のため、平日18時以降のお電話、またはメールでのご連絡を希望します。その他の条件は貴社規定に従います。
The example requests discussion of a start date and calls after 6 p.m. or email. Replace this with your availability. Do not conceal an essential schedule or location requirement behind a generic statement accepting company conditions.
Keep the two application documents consistent
The rirekisho supplies the timeline; the work-history document explains scope, methods and evidence. Dates must agree, but you need not cram detailed achievements into a small form field. The job-change resume guide (Japanese) covers career-change situations in more detail.
Before submitting
- Use one date convention and reconcile dates across all application materials.
- Verify the employer and role names.
- Reopen the PDF to check clipping, page breaks, fonts and photographs.
- Print a sample if submitting on paper.
- Use contact details you can continue to access.
- Do not add unrelated family or belief information merely to fill space.
- Check the required file name, format and delivery method.
Related guides
- “Currently Employed” on a Japanese Resume: Genzai ni Itaru and Ijo (Japanese)
- Applying While Employed in Japan: Dates and Contact Details on Your Resume (Japanese)
- Writing a Japanese Resume for Temporary Agency Work (Japanese)
- Health Information on a Japanese Resume: Examples and Workplace Accommodations (Japanese)
- Awards and Penalties on a Japanese Resume: Examples and Cases to Check (Japanese)
- Fonts and Text Sizes for a Japanese Resume: PDF Checks (Japanese)
- Describing Strengths on a Japanese Resume: Short Examples (Japanese)
- 30 Japanese Work History Examples: Summaries, Duties and Self-PR (Japanese)
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.
