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Japanese Passport Photo—Specifications

Japanese Passport Photo—Specification

printed size icon

Size

Head size icon

Head size

32–36 mm in height

photo background color

Background color

White or light blue

digital dimensions icon

Digital dimensions

passport photo resolution

Resolution

photo recency

Recency

Last update : 4/12/2024 Written by

Simon Wojtyczka

Simon Wojtyczka is a writer with experience living and working in 7 countries, each adding depth to his work. Holding a Master's in Applied Linguistics, he has a profound grasp of language and its intricate ties to culture.

Reviewed by

Karolina Młodzka Passport Compliance Expert

Karolina is a seasoned legal expert with a Master of Law and legal advisor credentials, specializing in passport photo compliance. She ensures adherence to international standards set by entities like the US Department of State and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Equipped with her advocate license and extensive legal background, she brings a unique blend of legal acumen and technical knowledge. Her expertise is pivotal in navigating the intricate and rigorous standards set by key global authorities. Her approach, marked by meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of international law, ensures stringent adherence to the evolving passport and visa photo regulations worldwide.

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Japanese Passport Photos—All You Need to Know

Are you living in the US and need a photo for a Japanese passport? Discover all the important information about getting Japanese passport photos in the US, including the requirements, finer details (e.g., Japanese passport photo size in pixels), and where to buy them in person and online.

Understanding Japanese passport photo requirements

Japanese passport photos have requirements that differ from US passport photos.

Readers can find the official guidelines posted in PDF format and available via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Here at Passport Photo Online, we’ve prepared this detailed guide to inform you about all the Japanese passport photo requirements—with photo examples. This way, you can feel confident your photo meets all the official guidelines mandated by Japanese passport agents.

Japanese Passport Photos Explained

Requirement	Physical Prints & Digital Photos
Color	In color and showing the applicant’s natural skin tone
Recency	Taken within the last 6 months
Image clarity	Clear image of the subject’s face, not blurry, grainy, or pixelated. Lighting must be evenly distributed with no glare or shadows present
Filters	Common social media filters of any kind are strictly prohibited
Background	Uniform background with no gradation present; either white, off-white, or light blue in color
Size	35 mm in width by 45 mm in length (1.38” x 1.77”). The head must be between 32 mm–36 mm (1.26”–1.42”). A 2 mm–6 mm (0.08”–0.24”) gap from the top of the head to the edge of the photo is also mandatory
Print Quality	Printed on photo-quality paper
Resolution	Minimum of 600 DPI
Digital Alterations	Strictly prohibited

📝 Note: Digital photos must have a minimum resolution of 827x1063 pixels.

The fine details: specifics of Japanese passport photos

Besides the technical details mentioned above, there are also finer details that must be followed to ensure compliance with official requirements. Check out the following list to make sure your Japanese passport photo doesn’t break the rules:

Smile: Neutral expression with the mouth closed. Smiling is not allowed
Eyes: Must be open and depict the subject’s natural eye color (contact lenses changing the eye color are prohibited). Hair, false eyelashes, or eyelash extensions cannot obscure the eyes in any way
Glasses: Thick-rimmed or tinted glasses are not allowed. Eyes must be in focus
Headgear: None allowed unless for religious purposes; cannot obscure the face in any way
Attire: Cannot blend in with the background
Beard: Permitted
Head position: Centered and facing the camera. Portrait-style photos are strictly prohibited
Negative space: 2 mm–6 mm (0.08”–0.24”) of space between the top of the subject’s head and the top border of the photo. This doesn’t apply to subjects with voluminous hair

Important! Japanese passport applications require the submission of two passport photos.

Japanese passport photo examples

Japanese passport photo sizing details

Japanese passport photos must be the correct size (35x45 millimeters). Since most in-store photo centers located in the US only provide 2x2” passport photos, finding a reliable provider may be difficult.

Additionally, Japanese biometric photographs must have a width of 35 mm and a length of 45 mm (1.38” x 1.77”). Furthermore, the head must be between 32 mm and 36 mm (1.26”–1.42”).

Lastly, the negative space rule, i.e., the 2 mm–6 mm (0.08”–0.24”) gap from the top of the head to the edge of the photo (unless the subject’s hair has a lot of volume) is an important aspect that cannot go overlooked by readers or passport photo technicians.

Non-compliant passport photos for Japan

With all these strict regulations for Japanese passport photos, it may be easier to follow some of the more important rules with picture examples. Study the table below for what to avoid when snapping a picture for a Japanese passport:

Picture examples of non-compliant Japanese passport photos with reasons.

Or let Passport Photo Online take care of everything—you just point and shoot, and we’ll provide you with a 100% compliant Japanese passport photo in minutes!