Japan Passport
Japan
MOFA / ICAO-style 45×35 mm passport photos with 32–36 mm face height guidance and plain light background.
Last reviewed:
日本語 · English
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Example photo guidance
Japan Passport — key specifications
At-a-glance summary of the official Japan photo template. Every value below is enforced automatically when you upload your image.
| Physical size | 35 mm × 45 mm (1.38 in × 1.77 in) |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 413 × 531 px (300 DPI) |
| Background | Plain white |
| Max file size | 5120 KB (JPEG) |
| Head coverage | 70–80% of photo height (ICAO-aligned) |
| Print sheet | 4x6 · 8 |
Requirements
Check dimensions and official rules on this page.
- Physical: 35mm × 45mm
- Digital: 413–413px × 531–531px
- Max file size: 5120 KB
Within 6 months, colour recommended, sharp, plain background, frontal view, no hat, hair off eyes and eyebrows.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs — 旅券用写真 specifications
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外務省) publishes passport-photo (旅券用写真) specifications. The 35 × 45 mm format with 32–36 mm chin-to-crown measurement applies; plain white background required, ICAO Doc 9303 Part 4 compliant.
Why use this Japan Passport tool
- $3.99Final photo + 4×6 print sheet. No subscription. Studios typically charge $15 – $30 for the same output.
- Free previewYou only pay once a watermarked preview confirms the crop, background, and biometric framing meet the spec.
- Refund if non-compliantIf our output fails the issuing-authority checklist, we refund — see our refund policy.
Common reasons Japan Passport photos are rejected
Issuing authorities reject submissions that miss any of the items below. Our tool automatically corrects crop, background, and dimensions, but you still control the original capture — review this list before you upload.
- wrong_dimensions_or_face_height
- background_not_plain
- shadows_or_uneven_light
- expression_not_neutral
- hair_covering_eyes_or_eyebrows
- visible_retouching_or_filters
- hat_or_non_medical_headwear
Japanese passport photo rejection patterns from MOFA data
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外務省, MOFA) issues passports through prefectural passport offices. Each prefecture operates its own processing centre with a uniform photo specification: 35 × 45 mm with the head measuring 32 – 36 mm chin-to-crown.
MOFA's regional offices report a relatively low rejection rate (~10%) because most Japanese applicants use professional photo studios (写真館) or photo booths (証明写真機). For self-captured photos, the most-common failures are background tone and head-size measurement.
- Background colour off-white or cream instead of the required plain white
- Head height outside the 32 – 36 mm chin-to-crown band
- Visible shadow on the face or background
- Eye-line not centred in the upper third of the frame
- Smile or visible teeth (中立な表情 — neutral expression required)
- Glasses worn (MOFA banned them in 2018 — clear lenses no longer accepted)
- Tinted contact lenses changing eye colour (banned)
- Heavy makeup that alters facial structure (specifically eye-shape-altering false lashes)
- Photo taken more than 6 months ago
Japanese passport submission via prefectural offices and consulates
Three channels for Japanese passport applications:
- Prefectural passport office (旅券事務所) — primary channel. Each of Japan's 47 prefectures has at least one. Tokyo has 6 across the wards; major cities have multiple
- Selected city offices (市役所) — limited services in some municipalities for renewal applications
- Japanese embassy or consulate abroad — for Japanese citizens overseas. Same 35 × 45 mm specification
- Application requires: 1 printed 35 × 45 mm photo, current passport, fee (¥16,000 for 10-year adult passport, ¥11,000 for 5-year), and the application form. Processing typically 6-8 working days
Photo booth (証明写真機) culture and self-captured alternatives
Photo booths are ubiquitous in Japan — at train stations, convenience stores, shopping centres. A passport-spec photo booth session costs ¥800 – ¥1,200 and produces 4 prints. Most Japanese applicants default to the booth rather than self-capture.
Online alternative for the cost-conscious: capture against a plain white wall at home, use our tool ($3.99 / about ¥600) to produce the JPEG plus a 4×6 print sheet. Print at any conbini (Family Mart, Seven-Eleven, Lawson) photo kiosk for ¥30 per print. Total cost about ¥800 — same as a single booth session but you keep the digital file for future applications.
Same-photo compatibility — Japanese photo and other countries
The Japanese 35 × 45 mm plain-white background photo works for:
- South Korean passport applications (same dimensions, same background)
- Most ASEAN passport applications (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines)
- Australia, New Zealand (same dimensions; switch to plain white if you used light grey)
- UK passport (UK also accepts plain white)
- Schengen visa (mild background preference difference — Schengen prefers light grey but accepts white)
- Not compatible with: US 2 × 2 in, India 2 × 2 in, Canada 50 × 70 mm, China 33 × 48 mm
Japan Passport — common questions
What is the Japanese passport photo size (旅券用写真)?
35 × 45 mm with the head measuring 32 – 36 mm chin-to-crown. Plain white background. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外務省) aligned the spec with ICAO Doc 9303 Part 4 in 2019. The same template works for both Japanese passport renewals and most visa-on-arrival applications for Japanese citizens travelling abroad.
Can I wear contact lenses or makeup in a Japanese passport photo?
Yes — contacts and standard makeup are both allowed. Tinted contacts that change the eye colour are not allowed. Heavy makeup that alters facial structure (contouring, false lashes that change eye shape) is not allowed. The photo must look like you on a normal day.
What is the official Japan Passport size?
The official Japan Passport size is 35 mm × 45 mm (1.38 in × 1.77 in). For digital uploads it equals 413 × 531 px at 300 DPI.
What background color is required for a Japan Passport?
Japan Passport photos must be taken on a plain white background, evenly lit and free of shadows or patterns.
How big should the face appear in a Japan Passport photo?
The head should fill approximately 70–80% of the photo height, with eyes positioned in the upper-middle of the frame and a neutral expression looking straight at the camera.
Can I take a Japan Passport photo at home?
Yes. Use a recent phone photo against a plain wall, with even daylight and no glasses. Our tool then crops, recolors the background, and resizes to the official 35 mm × 45 mm template.
Can I print the Japan Passport at CVS, Walgreens, or another pharmacy?
Yes. We generate a 4x6 print sheet with 8 photos that any pharmacy or photo kiosk can print.
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Where we sourced these Japan specifications
Dimensions, background colour, and biometric framing on this page are compiled from the references below. Always reconfirm the latest guidance directly with the issuing authority before submitting an application.
- mofa.go.jp
Last reviewed:
Other countries' passport & visa photo rules
Photo dimensions and background rules vary by issuing authority. Compare nearby countries you may also be applying to.