Photo requirements · Japan

Japan Passport Photo Requirements 2026

A Japanese passport photo must be 35×45 mm on a plain light background. The head — chin to crown — must measure between 32 and 36 mm. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) applies these specifications to Japanese passports, visas, and the MyNumber card. The Japan driving licence uses a smaller 24×30 mm format.

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Quick specs

Photo size

35 × 45 mm

1.38 × 1.77 inches

Head height

32–36 mm

chin to crown

Background

Plain white or very light blue.

Authority

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)

Documents covered

The same official specification applies to all of the following documents:

Document	Size	Head height
Japan Passport	35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)	32–36 mm
Japan Visa	35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)	32–36 mm
Japan MyNumber Card	35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)	32–36 mm
Japan Driving License	24 × 30 mm (0.94 × 1.18 in)	—

Detailed requirements

Background

Plain white or very light blue. No patterns, no shadows, no off-white. Japanese passport offices are strict about background uniformity.

Expression and eyes

Strictly neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open. No smiling, no head tilt.

Glasses

Glasses are allowed only with clear, non-tinted lenses, no glare, and frames that do not obscure the eyes.

Headwear

No headwear except for daily religious wear. The face from chin to forehead must be fully visible.

Recency

The photo must have been taken within the last six months.

Digital format

Japan introduced online passport renewal in 2023 via the MyNumber portal — digital photos must meet biometric specs at 35×45 mm equivalent resolution.

Country-specific notes

Japanese passport photos are typically taken at automated "Ki-no-shashin" booths in train stations and convenience stores.
The Japan driving licence uses a smaller 24×30 mm format with different rules.
For online passport renewal via the MyNumber portal, the photo is uploaded digitally and must pass biometric checks.

Common rejection reasons

These are the most frequent reasons passport offices reject submitted photos.

1 Background is not pure white or light blue.
2 Smiling or showing teeth.
3 Head tilted even slightly.
4 Glasses cause glare on the lenses.
5 Photo older than six months.
6 Insufficient resolution for biometric matching.

How to take it yourself in 3 steps

Plain light background

Stand 0.5 m from a pure white or very light blue wall. Diffuse daylight in front, no shadow behind.

Take a neutral, straight shot

Camera at eye level, 1.5 m away. Look directly into the lens, mouth closed, no smile, no head tilt.

Verify MOFA compliance

Photo must be 35×45 mm with head 32–36 mm tall. Our app verifies every rule and produces a MOFA-ready file.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Japanese passport photo? +

A Japanese passport photo is 35×45 mm with the head 32–36 mm from chin to crown.

What background colour does Japan accept? +

Plain white or very light blue. Japan is strict about background uniformity — no off-white or patterned walls.

Does the same photo work for my MyNumber card? +

Yes — passport, visa, and MyNumber card all share the same 35×45 mm specification. Only the driving licence (24×30 mm) is different.

Can I renew my Japanese passport online? +

Yes — since 2023, online renewal via the MyNumber portal is available. The digital photo must meet the same 35×45 mm biometric specs.

Can I take a Japanese passport photo at home? +

Yes, if it meets the 35×45 mm format, plain light background, and MOFA biometric rules. Our app verifies each rule before saving.

Other countries

Take a photo that passes — automatically.

Open the app, pick your country, and we check every rule before you save.

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