How to Request Salary, Visas & Remote Work on a Japanese Resume (本人希望記入欄)

If you are filling out a Japanese Rirekisho (履歴書), you will inevitably run into a small box near the bottom labeled 本人希望記入欄 (Honnin Kibou Kinyuu Ran — Personal Request Section).

Traditional advice dictates a single rigid rule: "Write 貴社規定に従います and state zero demands."

While that advice works for entry-level university grads (shinsotsu), it creates a trap for mid-career professionals, bilingual applicants, and foreign talent. What if you need visa support? What if you require remote work? What if accepting a job below a specific salary floor is legally or financially impossible?

📌 Key Takeaways for Job Seekers

• The Golden Default: Unless you have non-negotiable dealbreakers, always write 貴社規定に従います。 (I will comply with company policy).
• The Golden Rule: Never write "特になし" (Nothing in particular) or leave the box blank—it signals a lack of basic business etiquette.
• Salary Requests: Never demand fixed numbers like "8 Million JPY required." Frame it around current earnings: "I would appreciate discussing compensation based on my current salary..."
• Visa & Remote Needs: Present constraints politely as logistical requirements using softening phrases like ご相談させていただけますと幸いです (I would appreciate discussing...).

1. What is the "Honnin Kibou Ran"?

The 本人希望記入欄 is designed for non-negotiable operational conditions regarding:

• Salary and compensation requirements
• Office location or relocation preferences
• Work arrangements (remote work, reduced hours, family care)
• Visa sponsorship requirements
• Notice period and expected start date

The Standard Default: 貴社規定に従います

If you have no dealbreakers, use the standard business set phrase:

貴社規定に従います。

(Kisha no kitei ni shitagaimasu.)

"I will comply with your company’s regulations and policies."

2. How to Request Salary on a Japanese Resume

Western career guides tell candidates to state salary expectations early. Traditional Japanese recruiters say it is rude. What is the mid-career balance?

• Rule of Thumb: Avoid stating fixed minimum numbers (e.g., "Must be 8 Million JPY"). Instead, anchor your expectations to your current earnings.

📋 Copy-Paste Templates for Salary

Scenario A: Referencing Current Earnings (Best Strategy)

現在の年収（〇〇万円）を基準として、貴社規定に従いご相談させていただけますと幸いです。

(Genzai no nenshuu [XX man'en] wo kijun to shite, kisha kitei ni shitagaimasu go-soudan sasete itadakemasu to saiwai desu.)

Translation: "I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss compensation based on my current salary of [XX] million JPY, in accordance with your company's policy."

Scenario B: When Salary Figures Are Required by the Job Posting

希望年収：〇〇万円以上（前職の年収およびスキルを考慮していただけますと幸いです）

(Kibou nenshuu: [XX man'en] ijou [Zenshoku no nenshuu oyobi sukiru wo kouryo shite itadakemasu to saiwai desu])

Translation: "Desired salary: [XX] million JPY or higher (I would be grateful if my previous salary and skill set are taken into consideration)."

3. How to Request Visa Sponsorship & Work Status

If you require a Status of Residence (Visa) to work in Japan, stating your status upfront saves time for both parties.

📋 Copy-Paste Templates for Visas

Scenario A: You Have a Valid Work Visa (Switching Employers)

現在「技術・人文知識・国際業務」ビザを所有しております。採用時にはビザの更新・会社変更手続きのご相談をさせていただけますと幸いです。

(Genzai "Gijutsu / Jinbun Chishiki / Kokusai Gyoumu" biza wo shoyuu shite orimasu. Saiyou-ji ni wa biza no koushin / kaisha henkou tetsudzuki no go-soudan wo sasete itadakemasu to saiwai desu.)

Translation: "I currently hold an 'Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services' visa. I would appreciate discussing visa renewal/company change procedures upon hiring."

Scenario B: You Require Full Visa Sponsorship (Applying from Abroad)

日本での就労にあたり、就労ビザのスポンサーシップ支援を希望いたします。

(Nihon de no shuurou ni atari, shuurou biza no suponsaashippu shien wo kibou itashimasu.)

Translation: "For working in Japan, I request sponsorship support for a work visa."

4. How to Request Remote Work & Location Flexibility

When stating remote work or location preferences, present them as logistical constraints, not personal preferences.

📋 Copy-Paste Templates for Work Conditions

Scenario A: Requesting Remote Work Due to Location

現在〇〇県に在住しているため、フルリモート勤務、または入社に伴う転居の時期についてご相談させていただけますと幸いです。

(Genzai [Prefecture] ni zaijuu shite iru tame, guru rimooto kinmu, mata wa nyuusha ni tomounau tenkyo no shiki ni tsuite go-soudan sasete itadakemasu to saiwai desu.)

Translation: "As I currently reside in [Prefecture], I would appreciate discussing full remote work or the timing of relocation upon joining."

Scenario B: Preferred Branch/Office

勤務地：〇〇支社での勤務を希望いたします（家庭の事情のため）。

(Kinmuchi: [Office Name] shisha de no kinmu wo kibou itashimasu [Katei no jijou no tame].)

Translation: "Desired Work Location: [Office Name] branch (due to family obligations)."

5. Earliest Start Date & Notice Period (入社可能時期)

Japanese companies prefer knowing your onboarding timeline early to coordinate team transitions.

現在在職中のため、内定後〇ヶ月程度での入社を希望いたします。（面接時にて調整可能）

(Genzai zaishoku-chuu no tame, naitei-go [X]-kagetsu teido de no nyuusha wo kibou itashimasu. [Mensetsu-ji ni te chousei kanou])

Translation: "As I am currently employed, I hope to start approximately [X] months after receiving an offer (adjustable during interviews)."

6. What NOT to Write (Major Taboos)

7. Cheat Sheet: Honnin Kibou Ran Decision Matrix

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it rude to write personal requests in the Honnin Kibou Ran?

No, it is not rude if you have legitimate logistical requirements (such as visa status, family care obligations, or location limits). However, it is considered rude if you state demands aggressively. Always frame requests with softening business phrases like 「ご相談させていただけますと幸いです」 (I would appreciate discussing...).

Will I get rejected for writing a salary request on my Japanese resume?

You will not get rejected simply for mentioning salary, but demanding a fixed high floor without context (e.g., "Must pay 8 million JPY") can flag you as self-centered. To avoid rejection, frame your salary expectation around your current earnings and state that you are open to discussion based on company policy.

How do I request specific working hours or reduced hours?

If you require specific working hours due to child care, medical, or family care reasons, state it clearly as a logistical necessity:

希望勤務時間：9:00〜16:00（育児のため、時短勤務をご相談させていただけますと幸いです。）

(Kibou kinmu jikan: 9:00 - 16:00 [Ikuji no tame, jitan kinmu wo go-soudan sasete itadakemasu to saiwai desu.])

Translation: "Desired Working Hours: 9:00–16:00 (I would appreciate discussing shortened working hours due to childcare obligations)."

Final Takeaway

The 本人希望記入欄 is a tool to resolve operational dealbreakers before the interview process begins.

When framing any personal requirement, conclude with the phrase 「ご相談させていただけますと幸いです」 (I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss...). This transforms a hard demand into a polite invitation for mutual discussion, hitting the exact balance Japanese HR looks for.

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