You are filling out a job application in Japan. The form asks you to attach a 卒業証明書（そつぎょうしょうめいしょ）. You went to a language school for a year, so you attach the completion certificate you received at the end of your course — and the company emails back saying the document is wrong. What happened?
Or maybe you are applying for a student visa extension and the immigration office asks for a 在学証明書（ざいがくしょうめいしょ）. You graduated last month. You cannot get a 在学証明書 anymore. So what do you submit instead?
Japanese school documents are specific and non-interchangeable. Getting the wrong one can delay your visa, disqualify your job application, or hold up a graduate school admission. This guide explains the four core certificates — 卒業証明書, 修了証明書（しゅうりょうしょうめいしょ）, 在学証明書, and 成績証明書（せいせきしょうめいしょ）— exactly what each one proves, when to use it, and what mistakes to avoid.
| Document | Reading | What It Proves | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 卒業証明書 | そつぎょうしょうめいしょ | Completed a full degree/school program | Job applications, graduate school, visas |
| 修了証明書 | しゅうりょうしょうめいしょ | Completed a specific course or training | Language schools, professional courses, internal training |
| 在学証明書 | ざいがくしょうめいしょ | Currently enrolled as a student | Student visa, scholarships, bank accounts, student discounts |
| 成績証明書 | せいせきしょうめいしょ | Academic record — courses, grades, credits, GPA | Graduate school applications, scholarships, some jobs |
Quick Answer: 卒業証明書 vs 修了証明書 vs 在学証明書 vs 成績証明書
Here is the short version of each document before we go into detail.
卒業証明書 — Graduation Certificate
卒業証明書 proves that you completed and graduated from a school — a university, high school, vocational school, or other officially recognized educational institution. It is the document that confirms your 学歴（がくれき）, your academic history or educational credentials. Without it, employers and institutions cannot officially verify that you hold the degree you claim.
修了証明書 — Certificate of Completion
修了証明書 proves that you completed a specific course, program, or training — but not necessarily a full academic degree. A Japanese language school, a professional certification course, a corporate training program, or a specialized workshop would issue a 修了証明書. Note the key difference: 修了 means “completed (a course or program),” while 卒業 means “graduated (from a school).”
在学証明書 — Certificate of Enrollment
在学証明書 proves that you are currently enrolled as a student at a specific institution. This document is only available while you are still a student — you cannot obtain one after graduation. It is essential for student visa applications, scholarship documentation, student-rate bank accounts, and municipal registration procedures that require proof of student status.
成績証明書 — Academic Transcript
成績証明書 is your academic transcript — a formal record listing the courses you took, the grades you received, your credits earned, and sometimes your GPA or class standing. It does not just prove that you graduated; it shows how you performed. Graduate school applications, competitive scholarships, and certain professional job applications require this document alongside the 卒業証明書.
How “Certificate” and “Transcript” Split Into These Four Words
In English, “certificate” and “transcript” are broad terms that each cover multiple Japanese documents. This is one reason English speakers get confused. In Japanese, each document has a distinct noun that describes precisely what it proves:
- 証明書（しょうめいしょ） = certificate / proof document (any official document proving a fact)
- 卒業（そつぎょう） = graduation from a school
- 修了（しゅうりょう） = completion of a course or program
- 在学（ざいがく） = currently being enrolled
- 成績（せいせき） = academic results / grades / performance record
Put them together: 在学 + 証明書 = a document certifying that you are currently enrolled. 成績 + 証明書 = a document certifying your academic results. The system is consistent once you know the building blocks.
What Does 卒業証明書 Mean?
卒業証明書 as Proof of Graduation
卒業証明書（そつぎょうしょうめいしょ）is the official certificate issued by a school confirming that you graduated from a recognized educational program. It is one of the most commonly requested documents in Japan, both for employment and for further study. You can request it from the school’s registrar or 学務課（がくむか）— the academic affairs office — at any time after graduation, usually for a small fee (around 200–500 yen per copy).
大学・高校・専門学校
卒業証明書 is issued by three main types of institutions in Japan:
- 大学（だいがく） — university (four-year undergraduate degree)
- 高等学校（こうとうがっこう） / 高校（こうこう） — high school
- 専門学校（せんもんがっこう） — vocational / specialized training school
- 大学院（だいがくいん） — graduate school (master’s or doctoral programs)
For graduate school programs, the document is still called 卒業証明書 if it refers to the undergraduate completion, or 修了証明書 if it refers to a completed graduate degree program — more on this distinction below.
卒業見込証明書 — For Students Not Yet Graduated
What if you have not graduated yet but need to prove you are on track to graduate? The document you need is 卒業見込証明書（そつぎょうみこみしょうめいしょ） — a certificate of expected graduation (or anticipated graduation). 見込（みこみ）means “expected” or “anticipated.” Current students in their final year apply for this when submitting job applications or graduate school applications before the actual graduation date arrives.
Example: 就職活動のために、大学から卒業見込証明書を取り寄せた。
Shuushoku katsudou no tame ni, daigaku kara sotsugyou mikomi shoumeisho wo toriyoseta.
I requested a certificate of expected graduation from my university for my job-hunting activities.
What It Contains: 氏名・学部・卒業年月日
A standard 卒業証明書 includes the following information:
- 氏名（しめい） — your full name (in Japanese characters and sometimes romaji)
- 生年月日（せいねんがっぴ） — date of birth
- 学部・学科（がくぶ・がっか） — faculty and department/major
- 入学年月日（にゅうがくねんがっぴ） — enrollment date
- 卒業年月日（そつぎょうねんがっぴ） — graduation date
- 学校名（がっこうめい） — name of the institution
- 学長・校長の印（がくちょう・こうちょうのいん） — official seal from the president or principal
Job and Graduate School Application Examples
Example 1 (job application): 応募書類として、卒業証明書と成績証明書の提出をお願いします。
Oubo shorui to shite, sotsugyou shoumeisho to seiseki shoumeisho no teishutsu wo onegai shimasu.
Please submit a graduation certificate and academic transcript as part of your application documents.
Example 2 (graduate school): 大学院出願には、学部の卒業証明書が必要です。
Daigakuin shutsugan ni wa, gakubu no sotsugyou shoumeisho ga hitsuyou desu.
A graduation certificate from your undergraduate faculty is required for graduate school applications.
Example 3 (requested by employer): 内定後、入社前に卒業証明書を提出してください。
Naitei go, nyuusha mae ni sotsugyou shoumeisho wo teishutsu shite kudasai.
After receiving your job offer, please submit your graduation certificate before joining the company.
What Does 修了証明書 Mean?
修了証明書 as Certificate of Completion
修了証明書（しゅうりょうしょうめいしょ）proves that you completed a specific course or program. The character 修 means to study or master something; 了 means finished or concluded. Together, 修了 means “to complete (a course of study).” This is a broader and more flexible term than 卒業 — it applies to language programs, professional training, graduate school coursework, vocational courses, and more.
コースを修了した証明
The key concept is that 修了 refers to the completion of a program within a school, or a course offered by an institution — not necessarily the school itself. For example:
- A six-month Japanese language course at a 日本語学校（にほんごがっこう）→ 修了証明書
- A master’s or doctoral program at a 大学院 → 修了証明書 (not 卒業証明書, since you “complete” a graduate program rather than “graduate” from it)
- An internal corporate training program → 修了証明書 or 修了証書（しゅうりょうしょうしょ）
- A government-accredited skills training course → 修了証明書
研修・語学学校・専門講座での使用
You will encounter 修了証明書 most in these contexts:
- 語学学校（ごがくがっこう） — language school (Japanese, English, etc.)
- 職業訓練（しょくぎょうくんれん） — vocational skills training
- 研修（けんしゅう） — workplace or professional training
- 大学院（だいがくいん） — graduate school programs (master’s: 修士課程修了（しゅうしかていしゅうりょう）; doctoral: 博士課程修了（はかせかていしゅうりょう）)
- 認定講座（にんていこうざ） — accredited or certified courses
修了証書 vs 修了証明書 — a Brief Note
You may encounter both 修了証書（しゅうりょうしょうしょ）and 修了証明書. While both relate to completing a program, there is a subtle practical difference:
- 修了証書 — The physical award document you receive at the end (similar to a diploma). It is a ceremonial document given to you once.
- 修了証明書 — An official certification document you can request from the institution at any time, used for administrative purposes like applications and submissions.
When an application form asks for 修了証明書, it wants the certifying document — not the physical diploma/certificate you keep framed on the wall.
学歴として扱われるかの注意 — Does It Count as Academic History?
This is one of the most important practical points for English speakers to understand. 学歴（がくれき）in Japan refers specifically to your formal academic credentials — the schools you attended and graduated from. Not all 修了証明書 count as 学歴.
A 日本語学校 completion certificate, for example, is typically not counted as 学歴 on a Japanese resume (履歴書（りれきしょ）). It may be listed under 資格・免許（しかく・めんきょ）(qualifications and licenses) or under a separate training section, but it does not substitute for a university degree on the academic credentials line. A master’s degree completion from a recognized 大学院, on the other hand, is counted as 学歴 and would use a 修了証明書 as its proof.
Common Example Sentences
Example 1: 日本語学校の修了証明書を在留資格変更の申請に添付した。
Nihongo gakkou no shuuryou shoumeisho wo zairyuu shikaku henkou no shinsei ni tenpu shita.
I attached the language school completion certificate to my application for a visa status change.
Example 2: 大学院の修士課程を修了したので、修了証明書を発行してもらった。
Daigakuin no shuushi katei wo shuuryou shita no de, shuuryou shoumeisho wo hakkou shite moratta.
Since I completed the master’s program at graduate school, I had a certificate of completion issued.
Example 3: この研修の修了証明書は、資格申請の際に必要になります。
Kono kenshuu no shuuryou shoumeisho wa, shikaku shinsei no sai ni hitsuyou ni narimasu.
You will need this training completion certificate when applying for the qualification.
YukaWait — so if I complete a two-year master’s degree at a Japanese university, I get a 修了証明書, not a 卒業証明書? That surprised me.
ReiExactly right! In Japanese, you 卒業 from an undergraduate degree program, but you 修了 a graduate degree program. The word 修了 carries a nuance of completing a higher-level course of study rather than simply finishing school. Both count as 学歴, but the document name is different.
What Does 在学証明書 Mean?
在学証明書 as Certificate of Current Enrollment
在学証明書（ざいがくしょうめいしょ）is an official document confirming that you are currently enrolled as a student at a specific institution, as of the date of issue. 在学（ざいがく）means “being in school / currently enrolled.” The critical word here is “currently” — this document reflects your enrollment status on the date it is issued, and it becomes invalid once you graduate, withdraw, or are no longer enrolled.
現在学生であることを証明
Many procedures in Japan require proof that you are an active student right now. This document verifies:
- The name of your school
- Your faculty, department, or program
- Your year of study (what year you are in)
- The issue date (which confirms this was valid at a specific point in time)
Because this document is time-sensitive, many institutions that accept it will specify a validity window — often within three months of the issue date. Always check the requirements before requesting yours.
学生ビザ・奨学金・割引申請
Here are the most common situations where 在学証明書 is required:
| Purpose | Japanese | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa application / renewal | 学生ビザの申請・更新 | Immigration office requires this as proof of current student status |
| Scholarship application | 奨学金の申請 | Private and government scholarship programs require current enrollment proof |
| Student discount on public transportation | 通学定期券の申請 | Commuter rail passes at student rates require proof of enrollment |
| Opening a bank account (student rate) | 銀行口座の開設 | Some banks offer student account benefits; they require enrollment proof |
| Municipal registration / National Health Insurance (student rate) | 住民登録・国民健康保険 | Some municipal procedures ask for student status proof |
在籍証明書 との違い — A Brief Note
You may also encounter 在籍証明書（ざいせきしょうめいしょ）, which looks and sounds similar. The difference:
- 在学証明書 — specifically for students enrolled in an educational institution (schools, universities, language schools)
- 在籍証明書 — more general; used for confirming enrollment or membership in any organization, including companies and organizations (an employee might need a 在籍証明書 to prove they work at a company)
When dealing with school-related matters, 在学証明書 is almost always the correct term.
Common Example Sentences
Example 1: 学生ビザを更新するために、大学で在学証明書を発行してもらった。
Gakusei biza wo koushin suru tame ni, daigaku de zaigaku shoumeisho wo hakkou shite moratta.
I had my university issue a certificate of enrollment in order to renew my student visa.
Example 2: 奨学金の申請には、在学証明書が必要です。発行日から3か月以内のものをご提出ください。
Shougakukin no shinsei ni wa, zaigaku shoumeisho ga hitsuyou desu. Hakkou bi kara 3-kagetsu inai no mono wo go-teishutsu kudasai.
A certificate of enrollment is required for the scholarship application. Please submit one issued within the past three months.
Example 3: 通学定期を買うとき、駅で在学証明書を見せた。
Tsuugaku teiki wo kau toki, eki de zaigaku shoumeisho wo miseta.
When buying my commuter pass, I showed my certificate of enrollment at the station.
What Does 成績証明書 Mean?
成績証明書 as Academic Transcript
成績証明書（せいせきしょうめいしょ）is your academic transcript — a formal, comprehensive record of your academic performance at a school or university. 成績（せいせき）means academic results or performance. While 卒業証明書 proves that you graduated, 成績証明書 shows what you achieved while enrolled.
履修科目・成績評価・GPA・単位
A typical 成績証明書 from a Japanese university includes:
- 履修科目（りしゅうかもく） — courses taken / subjects studied
- 成績評価（せいせきひょうか） — grade for each course (often using letters A/B/C/D/F, or a Japanese scale like 優/良/可/不可）
- 単位数（たんいすう） — credit hours for each course
- GPA（ジーピーエー） — grade point average (increasingly common in Japanese universities)
- 修得単位合計（しゅうとくたんいごうけい） — total credits earned
大学院出願・就職・奨学金での提出
成績証明書 is commonly required in the following situations:
| Purpose | Why the Transcript Is Needed |
|---|---|
| Graduate school application (大学院出願) | Admissions committees evaluate your academic record; a minimum GPA is often required |
| Scholarship application (奨学金申請) | Competitive scholarships assess academic standing; some require a minimum 成績平均（grade average） |
| Job application in certain industries (就職活動) | Finance, consulting, and government positions sometimes require transcripts to verify academic performance |
| Transfer applications (転入・編入申請) | Schools need to verify credits earned and grades before accepting a transfer student |
| License and qualification applications (資格申請) | Some professional qualifications require a transcript showing completion of specific coursework |
英文成績証明書 — English Version
If you are applying to an institution overseas, or to a Japanese company that operates in English, you may need an 英文成績証明書（えいぶんせいせきしょうめいしょ） — an official transcript issued in English. Most Japanese universities can issue both Japanese and English versions, though they are separate documents and both require a formal request. Always check which version is required: some graduate school applications abroad specifically require the English version with an official university seal.
Common Example Sentences
Example 1: 大学院の出願書類に、成績証明書と研究計画書を含めてください。
Daigakuin no shutsugan shorui ni, seiseki shoumeisho to kenkyuu keikakusho wo fukumete kudasai.
Please include your academic transcript and research proposal in your graduate school application documents.
Example 2: 奨学金の審査には、GPA3.0以上の成績証明書が必要です。
Shougakukin no shinsa ni wa, GPA 3.0 ijou no seiseki shoumeisho ga hitsuyou desu.
The scholarship screening requires an academic transcript showing a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Example 3: 英語で書かれた英文成績証明書を大学に申請した。
Eigo de kakareta eibun seiseki shoumeisho wo daigaku ni shinsei shita.
I applied to the university for an official English-language academic transcript.
YukaI always hand in my 成績証明書 alone, but some applications seem to want both the 卒業証明書 AND the 成績証明書 together. Is that normal?
ReiVery normal! The 卒業証明書 proves you graduated, and the 成績証明書 shows your actual grades. An institution needs both: one to confirm the credential, and the other to evaluate your performance. Always request both together when applying to graduate school or competitive scholarships.
卒業証明書 vs 修了証明書
School Graduation vs Course or Program Completion
This is the most common point of confusion. Both words involve the idea of finishing something, but the distinction matters enormously in Japanese administrative contexts.
| 卒業証明書 | 修了証明書 | |
|---|---|---|
| What it proves | Graduated from a school (completed a degree program) | Completed a specific course, training, or program |
| Institution types | University, high school, vocational school | Language school, training course, graduate school |
| Counts as 学歴? | Yes (always) | Depends — graduate degrees yes; language courses usually no |
| Issued by | The school itself (学務課 etc.) | The institution or organization running the course |
| When requested | After graduation; any time thereafter | After completing the program; some are one-time issues |
大学を卒業した場合 vs 語学コースを修了した場合
The clearest way to remember this distinction:
- 大学を卒業した → you receive a 卒業証明書 (university graduation = 卒業)
- 語学コースを修了した → you receive a 修了証明書 (language course completion = 修了)
- 大学院の修士課程を修了した → you receive a 修了証明書 (graduate program completion = 修了, not 卒業)
The English word “graduate” maps onto 卒業 for undergraduate degrees and onto 修了 for graduate (postgraduate) degrees — the Japanese system splits what English combines into a single word.
学位・学歴との関係
If the application is asking for proof of your 学歴（academic credentials）, here is the rule:
- Completed a four-year university degree → 卒業証明書 proves your 大学卒業 (学歴)
- Completed a master’s or doctoral program at a Japanese graduate school → 修了証明書 proves your 大学院修了 (学歴)
- Completed a Japanese language school → 修了証明書 does not count as 学歴 for most employment purposes
- Completed a vocational school program → 卒業証明書 from a 専門学校 counts as 専門学校卒業 (学歴)
When the Employer or School Specifies Which One
Always read application instructions carefully. If the form says:
- 「卒業証明書または修了証明書」→ either is acceptable (the institution is flexible)
- 「大学の卒業証明書」→ they specifically want the undergraduate graduation certificate
- 「修了証明書（大学院）」→ they want proof of a completed graduate degree, not undergraduate graduation
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Submitting a language school 修了証明書 when the employer asks for 卒業証明書.
Language school completion does not equal university graduation. If the job form asks for 卒業証明書 from a four-year university, a language school completion certificate will not meet the requirement.
Mistake 2: Thinking 修了証明書 from a graduate school does not count as a degree.
Graduate degrees in Japan are certified by 修了証明書, not 卒業証明書. A 修士（修了）certificate from a recognized Japanese university is absolutely a valid academic credential.
在学証明書 vs 卒業証明書
Current Enrollment vs Completed Graduation
These two documents cover different points in time. 在学証明書 confirms your status right now. 卒業証明書 confirms something that happened in the past. You cannot use one to substitute for the other.
| 在学証明書 | 卒業証明書 | |
|---|---|---|
| Time frame | Current / right now | Past / completed |
| Who can get it | Current students only | Graduates (former students) |
| Expiry | Usually valid for 3 months from issue | No expiry — permanently valid |
| Used for | Visa renewal, scholarships, student discounts | Job applications, further study applications |
卒業見込証明書 — The Bridge Document
There is a gap between being enrolled and being graduated. In that gap — when you are a current student applying for a job or graduate school before your actual graduation date — you need 卒業見込証明書（そつぎょうみこみしょうめいしょ）. This document says: “This student is expected to graduate from this institution on [date].” It bridges the timeline problem: you cannot hand in a 卒業証明書 that has not been issued yet, but you need to prove your credentials now.
When to Switch from 在学証明書 to 卒業証明書
The transition point is your graduation date:
- Before graduation → use 在学証明書 for enrollment-based needs; use 卒業見込証明書 for applications that require proof of your upcoming graduation
- After graduation → you can no longer obtain a 在学証明書; switch entirely to 卒業証明書 for all graduation-related proofs
A practical error: some students who have just graduated try to request a 在学証明書 for a procedure they forgot to complete while still enrolled. Once graduated, the school can only issue a 卒業証明書 — the 在学証明書 is no longer available because you are no longer 在学（enrolled）.
Visa and Scholarship Examples
Example (visa renewal — current student): 学生ビザの更新申請には、在学証明書（発行後3か月以内）が必要です。
Gakusei biza no koushin shinsei ni wa, zaigaku shoumeisho (hakkou go 3-kagetsu inai) ga hitsuyou desu.
A certificate of enrollment (issued within the past 3 months) is required for student visa renewal.
Example (job application — final-year student): 卒業見込証明書を人事部に提出すれば、正式な入社手続きに進むことができます。
Sotsugyou mikomi shoumeisho wo jinji-bu ni teishutsu sureba, seishiki na nyuusha tetsuzuki ni susumu koto ga dekimasu.
If you submit the certificate of expected graduation to the HR department, you can proceed with the formal onboarding process.
Related School Document Words
単位修得証明書（たんいしゅとくしょうめいしょ）— Credit Transcript
単位修得証明書 is a document proving which academic credits (単位（たんい）) you have earned. It is similar to a 成績証明書 but focuses specifically on credit hours rather than grades. Used for credit transfer applications, qualification exams that require a certain number of credits in specific subjects, and some professional licensing applications.
英文証明書（えいぶんしょうめいしょ）— English-Language Certificate
英文証明書 refers to any of the above documents issued in English. Most Japanese universities offer English versions of 卒業証明書, 在学証明書, 成績証明書, and 単位修得証明書. Always specify 英文（えいぶん）when making your request if you need the English version. The Japanese and English versions are separate official documents — getting one does not automatically give you the other.
修了証書（しゅうりょうしょうしょ）— Completion Certificate (Award)
修了証書 is the physical certificate you receive at the end of a completed program — like a diploma or graduation certificate you might frame. Compare this to 修了証明書, which is an administrative document you request for submission purposes. When filling in forms, you almost always need the 修了証明書, not the 修了証書.
学生証（がくせいしょう）— Student ID Card
学生証 is your student ID card. It is not a 証明書 in the same sense — it does not carry the same official weight as a document issued by the registrar. You may use it for day-to-day student discounts and basic identification, but it is generally not accepted as a substitute for 在学証明書 on formal applications and visa documents.
発行日・有効期限 — Issuance Date and Expiry
Two key terms you will encounter on all certificates:
- 発行日（はっこうび） — the date the document was issued. Many accepting institutions require documents issued within a specific timeframe (e.g., within 3 months). Always check the requirement before requesting.
- 有効期限（ゆうこうきげん） — expiry date. 卒業証明書 is permanently valid with no expiry. 在学証明書 typically has an effective period of around three months from the issue date.
Decision Rule: Which School Certificate Do You Need?
Do You Need to Prove Graduation? → 卒業証明書
Use 卒業証明書 when the application or institution needs to verify that you completed and graduated from a recognized school program. This is the document for job applications that ask about your 学歴, most graduate school applications (to verify your undergraduate degree), and post-graduation visa procedures.
Do You Need to Prove Course Completion? → 修了証明書
Use 修了証明書 when the application needs to verify that you completed a specific course or program — a language school, a training course, a graduate degree program. Also use this for graduate school degrees: your master’s or doctoral completion is proven by 修了証明書, not 卒業証明書.
Do You Need to Prove Current Enrollment? → 在学証明書
Use 在学証明書 when the procedure requires proof that you are currently a student right now. Visa renewal, scholarship applications, student discounts, and enrollment-related registrations all require this. Remember: only current students can obtain it.
Do You Need to Show Grades or Credits? → 成績証明書
Use 成績証明書 when the application wants to see your academic performance, not just whether you graduated. Graduate school admissions, competitive scholarships, and transfer applications usually require a transcript alongside the graduation certificate.
Not Yet Graduated but Applying Now? → 卒業見込証明書
Use 卒業見込証明書 when you are a final-year student who has not graduated yet, but you need to submit proof of your upcoming graduation as part of a job application, graduate school application, or visa procedure. This bridges the gap between current enrollment and completed graduation.
Quick Flowchart
What do you need to prove?
|
+-- Are you proving you GRADUATED from a school (degree completed)?
| YES --> 卒業証明書（そつぎょうしょうめいしょ）
|
+-- Are you proving you COMPLETED a course or program (not a full degree)?
| Or proving you completed a graduate (master's/doctoral) degree?
| YES --> 修了証明書（しゅうりょうしょうめいしょ）
|
+-- Are you proving you ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED as a student?
| YES --> 在学証明書（ざいがくしょうめいしょ）
| NOTE: Only available while you are still enrolled
|
+-- Do you need to show GRADES, COURSES TAKEN, or GPA?
| YES --> 成績証明書（せいせきしょうめいしょ）
| TIP: Often submitted together with 卒業証明書
|
+-- Are you a CURRENT student who has NOT YET graduated,
but need to prove your upcoming graduation?
YES --> 卒業見込証明書（そつぎょうみこみしょうめいしょ）
If you are working with a native Japanese tutor on reading and writing official Japanese documents, italki connects you with professional Japanese teachers who can walk you through real application forms, explain which documents fit which situations, and help you write formal requests to your school or institution. Practicing with actual documents under guidance is one of the fastest ways to build confidence with formal Japanese.
Quick Quiz
Test yourself! Choose the correct document name or fill in the blank. Answers are below.
1. You graduated from a four-year university in Japan three years ago. Your new employer asks you to submit proof that you hold an undergraduate degree. Which document do you need?
(A) 在学証明書 (B) 卒業証明書 (C) 修了証明書 (D) 成績証明書
2. You are in your final year of university and have not graduated yet, but a company wants proof that you will graduate in March. What document should you request from your school?
3. You completed a one-year Japanese language course at a 日本語学校 in Tokyo. The visa application asks for proof of your program completion. Which document do you attach?
(A) 卒業証明書 (B) 在学証明書 (C) 修了証明書 (D) 学生証
4. A scholarship program requires proof that you are currently enrolled at a Japanese university and asks for a document issued within the past three months. Which document is this?
5. A Japanese graduate school application asks you to submit both your graduation certificate AND a document showing your undergraduate GPA and course history. What are these two documents?
6. True or False: After you graduate, you can still request a 在学証明書 from your university to prove you were once a student there.
—
Answers:
1. (B) 卒業証明書（そつぎょうしょうめいしょ）— This is the standard document proving you completed your undergraduate degree. Even three years after graduation, you can request it from your university’s registrar office.
2. 卒業見込証明書（そつぎょうみこみしょうめいしょ）— Certificate of expected graduation. This is the document current students request when applying for jobs or further study before their actual graduation date.
3. (C) 修了証明書（しゅうりょうしょうめいしょ）— A language school completion is a course/program completion, not graduation from a full degree institution. 修了証明書 is correct. Note that this will not count as 学歴 on a Japanese resume.
4. 在学証明書（ざいがくしょうめいしょ）— Certificate of current enrollment. The three-month validity requirement is a common condition on this document. Always check the deadline before requesting.
5. 卒業証明書（proof of graduation）and 成績証明書（academic transcript with GPA and course history）. These two documents together are the standard pair for graduate school applications.
6. False. 在学証明書 can only be issued while you are currently enrolled. Once you graduate, the school can no longer issue this document — only 卒業証明書 is available thereafter.
Have you ever had to request one of these documents in Japan? Did you run into any confusion about which one to submit? Share your experience in the comments below — your story might help another learner avoid the same mistake!
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