Japan Passport Photo Requirements 2026

Official requirements from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外務省). Last reviewed March 2026.

Photo Dimensions

Japanese passport photos must be 35 mm wide and 45 mm tall. Japan follows the ICAO biometric standard (ICAO Doc 9303), which is the same format used by the UK, EU, Australia, and many other countries. The photo must be in colour and printed on photographic paper of consistent quality.

Japan introduced an online passport renewal system in 2023 for eligible renewals. The digital photo uploaded through the MynaPortal (マイナポータル) system must meet specific digital specifications (see below). For other application types, physical photos must be submitted at a municipal passport office.

Face and Head Position

The face — measured from the bottom of the chin to the crown of the head — must be between 32 mm and 36 mm within the 45 mm frame height. The face must be centred in the photo. There must be a margin of at least 2 mm between the top of the head and the top edge of the photo, and a margin of at least 2 mm at the bottom (chin to bottom edge).

Eyes must be at the same height in the frame (no head tilt). The face must look directly at the camera. Both ears may or may not be visible — the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not require ear visibility but the face must be shown symmetrically.

Background Requirements

The background must be plain white or very light grey. It must be uniformly lit with no shadows, patterns, or other objects visible. Japan's passport system uses automated facial detection that can flag uneven backgrounds — ensure the background is clean and shadowless.

For applicants with very light skin or white/grey hair, a very light grey background provides better contrast. A pure white background is also acceptable. Any background with a hint of colour will result in rejection.

Expression and Pose

A neutral expression with mouth closed is required. Both eyes must be fully open. Looking directly at the camera is mandatory. Smiling, frowning, or any exaggerated expression is not allowed. The head must face straight forward — not turned or tilted.

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifically states that the photo must not be taken with a selfie camera (front-facing camera), as these tend to distort facial proportions. Use the rear camera of a smartphone or a regular digital camera for best results.

Glasses and Accessories

Glasses are not permitted in Japanese passport photos. This applies to prescription glasses, sunglasses, and all tinted lenses. Head accessories including hats, caps, and fashion headbands are not allowed. Head coverings for genuine religious reasons are accepted if the face is fully visible.

Photo Recency and Quality

The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months. Photos must be clear, in focus, and not blurry. The image must be properly exposed — neither too bright nor too dark. Red-eye must not be present. The photo must accurately represent the applicant's current appearance.

Digital Photo Specifications (MynaPortal / Online Renewal)

• Format: JPEG
• Minimum dimensions: 560 × 728 pixels (maintaining 35:45 ratio at 96 DPI equivalent)
• Maximum file size: 6 MB
• Aspect ratio: 35:45 (7:9)
• Color mode: RGB (sRGB)

Complete Specifications Table

Common Rejection Reasons

• Background with shadows or uneven lighting
• Face proportion outside 32–36 mm
• Head tilted or not facing directly forward
• Glasses worn
• Photo taken with front camera (selfie distortion)
• Photo older than 6 months
• Photo blurry or out of focus
• Smiling or non-neutral expression