Requesting a Letter of Recommendation

I am happy to support my students' academic and professional goals by writing letters of recommendation for graduate school, study abroad programs, scholarships, and employment.

To ensure I can write a strong, detailed, and effective letter—and to manage the volume of requests I receive—please read through the following guidelines carefully before contacting me.

1. Am I the right person to ask?

A strong recommendation letter requires that I know you and your academic work well. Before requesting a letter, please ensure you meet at least one of the following criteria:

• You are currently, or were previously, a member of my seminar (zemi).

• You have taken at least two of my courses and earned high grades.

• You have worked with me closely on a specific academic project or research.

Note: If you have only taken one large lecture course with me, I will likely only be able to write a very general letter, which may not be sufficient for competitive applications.

2. Timeline and Deadlines

Writing a quality letter takes time. You must submit your complete request at least 3 to 4 weeks before the deadline. I cannot guarantee that I will be able to accommodate rush requests.

3. Required Materials

If you meet the criteria above, please send an email with the subject line:

Recommendation Letter Request: [Your Full Name]

To minimise delays, you must attach all of the following documents to your initial email:

1. Up-to-date CV or Resume

2. Unofficial Copy of Your Academic Transcript

An academic transcript is the official list of all classes you have taken and the grades received (成績証明書 - seisekishoumeisho). An "unofficial copy" means you do not need to pay for an official stamped paper copy from Academic Affairs.

How to get it: Log into the student web portal, find your overall grade/course history page, save or print that page as a PDF (or take clear screenshots), and attach it to your email.

3. Draft of Statement of Purpose, Personal Statement, or Cover Letter

These are the essays required for your application—known in Japanese as your 志望理由書 (shibou riyuusho), 自己アピール (jiko apiiru), or Entry Sheet contents.

• Statement of Purpose / Personal Statement: Explains why you want to study at this specific university/program and your future goals.

• Cover Letter: Introduces yourself and explains why you are a good fit for a job position.

What does a "draft" mean? A draft (下書き - shitagaki) does not need to be 100% finished or perfect. Early notes, an outline, or a work-in-progress version will help me understand the narrative you are presenting so I can align my letter with it.

4. Link to Program / Job Description

Please send the direct website address (URL) for the official page describing what you are applying for. In Japanese, this is the 募集要項 (boshuu youkou — application guidelines) for study abroad/grad school, or the 求人票 (kyuujinhyou — job posting) for employment.

Why this is needed: Different programs value different qualities (e.g., independent research vs. teamwork). Seeing the exact requirements allows me to tailor my letter to highlight those traits in you.

5. Completed Summary Document

(See template in Section 4 below).

4. Summary Document Template

Please copy and paste the text block below directly into the body of your email and fill out each field:

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LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY

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1. Full Name (English & Kanji/Katakana): 

2. Student ID Number: 

3. What are you applying for?

   [e.g., MA in Literature at X University / Study Abroad at Y / Job at Z Company]

4. Due Date for the Letter (Exact Date & Time): 

5. Submission Method:

   [e.g., Online portal link emailed to professor / Physical letter / Email PDF]

6. Language Required: 

   [English or Japanese]

7. Courses Taken With Me:

   [List course names, semester/year taken, and final grade received]

8. Strengths to Highlight (アピールしたい点 / 強み):

   [List 2–3 specific things you would like me to focus on. E.g., a specific paper you wrote for my class, leadership skills, academic improvement, etc.]

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5. What Happens Next?

Once I receive your complete request with all required documents attached, I will review your materials and reply within a few days to confirm if I can write the letter.

• If your letter requires a physical signature or sealed envelope:
  Place the necessary forms and an addressed, stamped envelope (if applicable) inside a folder or envelope. Drop this off directly into the mailbox on my office door at any time.
  Important: Send me a quick email as soon as you drop it off so I know to collect it.

• If the organisation will email an online submission link:
  Let me know the exact date or timeframe I should expect to receive that system email.

Thank you for preparing these materials carefully. Following these steps not only helps me write the strongest possible letter for you, but it is also great preparation for your application process!