Doctor CV for Japan
For doctor jobs in Japan, lead with Japanese medical licence (医師免許). Employers usually expect a CV on A4 paper, most recent experience first. Length: no strict page limit for clinical and academic CVs, which list posts, publications and courses in full. Employers there usually leave out marital status.
Build a doctor CV for JapanYour first CV is free. The builder applies these rules and checks your CV before you download it.
Registration and licences
| Doctors | Japanese medical licence (医師免許) |
|---|
Put it near the top of the CV. If you are still applying, list it with the status “In progress” and the date you applied. Confirm current requirements with the regulator before you apply.
Sections to include
| Section (in this order) | How important | Heading in Japanese |
|---|---|---|
| Profile | Recommended | 職務要約 |
| Registration & licences | Expected | 免許・資格 |
| Experience | Expected | 職歴 |
| Education | Expected | 学歴 |
| Courses & CPD | Recommended | 研修 |
| Clinical skills | Recommended | スキル |
| Publications & presentations | Recommended | 論文・著書 |
| References | Recommended | 推薦者 |
Length: No strict page limit for clinical and academic CVs: list posts, publications and courses in full.
Personal details in Japan
| What it is called | 職務経歴書 (usually written in Japanese or English) |
|---|---|
| Length | 1–3 pages for the career history (shokumu keirekisho), sent with a 2-page rirekisho form |
| Paper size | A4 |
| Layout | Tabular, dates in a left column |
| Order | Most recent first |
| Dates | Numeric (MM/YYYY) |
| Photo | Optional |
| Date of birth | Optional |
| Nationality | Optional |
| Marital status | Usually left out |
| Right to work / visa status | Optional |
| References | Leave referees off the CV; have a list ready |
| Explain gaps longer than | 6 months |
Key facts
- In 2021 Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare published a model rirekisho (résumé form) in which the gender field is optional. Source: mhlw.go.jp
- The 2021 Japanese government model rirekisho removed the fields for commuting time, number of dependants and spouse. Source: mhlw.go.jp
- Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare asks employers to base hiring only on an applicant's aptitude and ability, not on family or living circumstances. Source: mhlw.go.jp
Facts checked 2026-10-15.
Tips
- Put your medical registration and licence number near the top.
- List rotations with specialty, grade, hospital and dates.
- Audit, QI, teaching and research are expected even at junior level.
- Life-support courses (BLS/ALS/ATLS/APLS) belong under courses.
- Postgraduate exams (e.g. MRCP, USMLE steps, FRACP) go under education with the date passed.
- Add a teaching line under each post, or list teaching under projects.
- This builder makes the shokumu keirekisho (職務経歴書): your work history in detail, usually newest first, with a short career summary at the top.
- Japanese employers also expect a rirekisho (履歴書): a fixed form with a 3 × 4 cm photo, date of birth, and education and work history oldest first. Fill it in on the standard template.
- The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s 2021 model rirekisho makes gender optional and drops spouse and dependants fields.
- Date both documents at the top (年月日現在).
Questions
What registration do doctors need on a CV in Japan?
Doctors applying in Japan should show Japanese medical licence (医師免許) near the top of the CV, with the registration number and status. If you are still applying, list it with the status “In progress”. Put it in its own section, above your experience. Requirements change, so confirm the current rules with the regulator before you apply.
Should a doctor CV for Japan have a photo?
It’s optional. A doctor CV for Japan works with or without a photo, and most employers decide on your experience and qualifications. If you add one, keep it professional: a recent head-and-shoulders picture on a plain, light background. Leave it out if the job advert or application form says not to include one. When in doubt, follow the style of CVs in the employer’s own job adverts or website.
How long should a doctor CV be in Japan?
There is no strict limit for a doctor CV in Japan. Clinical and academic CVs list posts, registration, courses, audits and publications in full, so they are longer than the 1–3 pages usual for other jobs there. Keep it well organised, with the strongest evidence on the first page. CV Atlas warns you when the CV runs longer than usual.
What sections does a doctor CV for Japan need?
A doctor CV for Japan needs your contact details, experience, education and registration and licences. A photo and date of birth are optional there, so add them only if you are comfortable doing so. Put the most recent role first and describe each post with the setting, scope and results. CV Atlas applies this structure when you choose the job and the country, and its readiness check lists anything missing.
Related guides
General guides: CVs for Japan and Medicine (doctors) CVs in any country.
Other jobs in Japan: Nurse, Dentist, Pharmacist, Allied health, Teacher, Engineer, Lawyer, Accountant, Electrician and trades, Care worker, Childcare worker, Social worker, Software engineer.
Doctor CVs for other countries: United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, France, Sweden, Norway, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Singapore.
Start your doctor CVYour first CV is free. The builder applies these rules and checks your CV before you download it.
Guidance checked October 2026; facts checked 2026-10-15. General information for most employers, not legal or immigration advice. A job advert’s own instructions always come first. CV Atlas is not affiliated with any regulator or professional body named.