Japanese Passport Photo

Japan passport photo guidelines

Did you know that the Japanese passport is the “strongest” in the world? It allows its holder to travel visa-free to 191 countries. If you are eligible, you may consider yourself the luckiest traveler in the world! What to do to get this powerful document? It’s easy if you are a citizen of Japan. You only need to submit some documents, attach 2 color passport-style photos and fill out and sign an application form. If you want to get your travel document quickly and without any problems, make sure that your attached photo is biometric and complies with the International Civil Aviation Organization Standards. Our easy-to-read guidelines will help you to produce a perfect photo on your own without pressure and stress. Nowadays you don’t need to look for a photo studio or photo booth, wasting your time and overpaying for a passport photo. You can do it by yourself, because all you need is:

• a smartphone with a camera or tablet,
• a person who will help you (selfies are unacceptable),
• a tripod if you prefer to do it on your own,
• the Japanese passport photo list of requirements that we’ll provide you with
• a smart online passport photo maker to facilitate your work

Japanese passport photo requirements

There are some standards your photo must comply with in order to be accepted by the Passport Office. Your passport photo must be:

• of good quality
• taken within the last 6 months
• printed in color
• original - not cut out from a bigger picture

There are some more criteria we will present in the next paragraph. With our handbook, you’ll be able to create a photo of the same quality as taken professionally, but you’ll save time and money doing it. We have much lower prices than photography studios and, at the same time, the picture prepared with our Passport Photo App always meets all requirements thanks to the photo verification process.

Japan passport photo size (dimensions in mm)

The correct size of the passport photo is 35 x 45 mm (width x height). 

Your head from the tip of the chin to the top of the head, as well as its both sides, must be fully visible in the image. The head (with the hair in the picture) must take up approximately 70 - 80% of the image (between 32 and 36 mm). Keep in mind that the height of the face cannot be less than 32 mm, otherwise the photo will not be accepted.

Light and colors 

Your face must be evenly illuminated, so we recommend you snap the picture facing a window. There are also a couple more good reasons as to why daylight is the best for this kind of pictures - it doesn’t produce glares or the red eye effect as opposed to flash, and it helps to show your natural skin tones.

Remember that the photo must be in color. Black and white photos are forbidden, as are unnatural colors.

Background 

Your passport photo requires a white background. No other persons, objects, or patterns must be visible. Only your face, neck, and the upper part of your shoulders should be seen in the picture. Does this mean that you have to paint your wall now? Absolutely not! Actually, you can take your picture wherever you want! You can then use our app’s smart background removing tool. It erases any unsuitable background and replaces it with a white and plain one in just one second! It also crops the image, so even if your head is too small in the picture, or too much of your body is visible, don’t worry - this passport photo tool will help you obtain the correct crop automatically.

Composition and facial expression

The composition in biometric passport photos in Japan and in other countries is strictly specified: the candidate’s head must be positioned in the central spot of the image and not tilted in any direction.

Also, the facial expression is predefined:

• you must look straight at the camera and keep your eyes open,
• you cannot smile or frown,
• your mouth must be closed, but not tightened.

Keep in mind that your whole face must be clearly visible, so make sure that your hair or head covering does not obscure your jawline. 

Headwear

If you cover your head for religious reasons and travel wearing your headgear internationally, you may keep your head covered while capturing your Japanese passport photo. But even if you keep it on, your face must be clearly visible including the forehead and cheeks.

Fashion headwear such as hats, caps, headbands, and such is prohibited.

Dress-code 

The Japanese passport photo specifications don’t mention any requirements regarding the attire, with one exception: uniforms and clothes that may potentially resemble uniforms (with military patterns or visible insignia) are prohibited.

Our recommendation, however, is a simple blouse or shirt with a collar or a v-neck. White is not recommended, because it may make you blend in with the background. If you like jewelry, you can put on a necklace and a small pair of earrings. Huge earrings or hair decorations can obscure the face, and in such a case your picture will not be accepted.

The do’s & don'ts

It’s the responsibility of the candidate to know and meet all the requirements about passport photos. Photos taken with mistakes cannot be accepted and will cause delay or rejection of the application process altogether. How to avoid the most common mistakes? We have prepared a list of things you should avoid when taking your own photo for your Japanese passport. 

Avoid:

• tilting your head in any direction (down, up, sideways)
• looking sideways
• keeping your eyes closed
• keeping your mouth open
• smiling!
• wearing eyeglasses with tinted or black lenses
• having your eyes obscured by frames
• wearing a fashion head covering 

Remember also that it is obligatory for your picture to be:

• taken within the last 6 months
• printed on photo-quality paper
• in-focus, clear, and properly exposed (not grainy or pixelated)
• original (not altered or cut out from a larger picture)

A smart online Passport Photo Online to take your Japanese passport photo

When preparing your perfect picture for the Japanese passport, you need to remember about resizing, cropping, adjusting the background, etc. If you want to be free of this hassle, and focus on the proper composition and facial expression instead, you may use the Passport Photo Online app based on Artificial Intelligence.

In just a quick moment you will get your perfect passport or Japanese visa photo ready to print!

The app is available for both iOS (iPhone Photo App) and Android (passport photo app), it’s easy to use, and helps its users save money and time. How is that possible? It’s because you pay only for the correctly prepared and verified photos that have a guarantee of acceptance by your Passport Office.

Last update: 1/30/23