Japanese passport photo requirements (35 × 45 mm)
For a Japanese passport, the photo must be 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in). You can submit a printed photo or upload one when applying online; check the instructions for your application system before preparing a digital file.[1][2]
Photo size and face position
Print the photo at 35 mm wide by 45 mm high. The head must be 32–36 mm high, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. Leave 2–6 mm of space above the head.[1][3]
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not set exact pixel dimensions for digital uploads. Make sure the image shows the same 35 × 45 mm portrait and head proportions, then follow the upload screen for its image settings.[1][2]
The authority checks whether the picture clearly shows your face and matches the required framing. Keep your head straight and centered, with your full face in view.[1][3]
Background and lighting
White is recommended. Pale blue and similar light backgrounds are also accepted. Shadows and gradients in the background are not accepted.[3]
For a home photo, stand in front of a plain white or pale-blue wall. Face a window for soft, even light, and move away from the wall so your shadow does not fall behind you. This is practical advice, not an extra official rule.
Check that the image is sharp and evenly lit. Avoid bright spots on your face, dark shadows, and a background that fades from one shade to another. The official notice says a shadow or gradient in the background is not accepted.[3]
Expression, eyes, glasses, and head coverings
The cited MOFA guidance does not set a neutral-expression or closed-mouth rule. It does reject a photo where the expression, such as raised mouth corners, makes you look markedly different from your actual appearance.[3]
Your eyes should be visible. Glasses are acceptable only when the frames or their shadows do not cover any part of the eye area. Remove glasses if they block the eyes or cast a shadow there.[3]
Covering the head is permitted only for religious or medical reasons when allowed under passport rules, and only if the outline of the face remains visible.[3]
Taking the photo at home
Ask another person to take the picture if you can. Put the camera at eye level, about 1–1.5 m away, and use the rear camera for a sharper image. Keep the lens level and include your whole head and shoulders.
Stand against the plain background and face the light. Look toward the camera and hold still. Take several pictures, then choose one that is sharp, evenly lit, and close to your normal appearance.
Crop the chosen image to 35 × 45 mm, keeping the head height at 32–36 mm and the top space at 2–6 mm. The tool above can help make the crop. Check the result at full size before saving or printing.[1][3]
Printed photo or online upload
For a paper application, submit a printed 35 × 45 mm photo. You can use the tool above to put the crop on a 4 × 6-inch print sheet. At a kiosk, select a 4 × 6-inch photo print, print the sheet, and cut out the passport photo along its edges. Confirm the tool's print layout is sized for the 35 × 45 mm photo; the 4 × 6-inch sheet is a print choice, not a MOFA requirement.[1]
For an online application, upload the image through the application system. MOFA does not give one shared pixel size or file-size range for every online application. My Number Portal allows a photo file up to 600 KB; ORR Net gives a range of 20 KB to 2 MB. Follow the limit shown for your system.[2]
Keep the original image until you have finished the application. Check that the saved file is clear and that the upload preview has not cut off your head or changed the crop.[2]
Common reasons a photo may be refused
A photo may fail if it is the wrong size, the head is outside the 32–36 mm range, or the space above the head is outside 2–6 mm. It may also fail if the face is poorly lit, blurry, or hard to see.[1][3]
Background shadows or gradients, glasses or shadows covering the eye area, and a head covering that hides the face outline can also cause problems. A strong expression that makes you look markedly different from your actual appearance may be refused.[3]
The cited MOFA guidance does not give a separate rule for infant photos. Check the application office's instructions for help positioning a baby.[1][3]
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Japanese passport photo?
It is 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in). The head height must be 32–36 mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, with 2–6 mm above the head.[1][3]
Can I smile in a Japanese passport photo?
MOFA does not specify a neutral-expression or closed-mouth rule. It says the photo should not show an expression that makes your appearance markedly different from your actual appearance.[3]
Can I wear glasses in the photo?
Only if the glasses and their shadows do not cover any part of the eye area.[3]
What background should I use?
White is recommended. Pale blue and similar light backgrounds are accepted; shadows and gradients are not.[3]
What file size do I need for an online passport application?
There is no single limit for all systems. My Number Portal permits up to 600 KB, while ORR Net specifies 20 KB to 2 MB; use the limit for the system you are applying through.[2]
Can I print the photo at a kiosk?
Yes. The printed passport photo is 35 × 45 mm, and you may print it on a 4 × 6-inch sheet as a practical layout choice. Cut out the photo at its edges.[1]