Japan photo requirements

Japan photo requirements are set by 外務省 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) / 都道府県パスポートセンター. We publish 3 documents: 1 passport, 1 ID card and 1 residence permit. The most common print size is 35 x 45 mm (1.38 in x 1.77 in); 2 documents accept a digital upload. Each page quotes the official rule for size, head height, background and file, links the source we read, and shows the date we last checked it (most recently 2026-10-07).

Passports

Japanese Passport Photo (パスポート, 45 x 35 mm print or online upload)For the one photo attached to a Japanese passport application, as a 45 x 35 mm print at the prefectural passport counter or as a file in the マイナポータル / ORRネット online application. Not for a My Number Card, a residence-status application at the Immigration Services Agency, or a Japanese visa.35 x 45 mm背景（影を含む）がないものverified 2026-10-07

ID cards

Japanese My Number Card Photo (マイナンバーカード, 45 x 35 mm or 480-6000 px upload)For the face photo on a My Number Card (個人番号カード) application, as a 45 x 35 mm print glued to the postal form or as a jpeg uploaded in the online application. Not for a Japanese passport (MOFA rules, separate page), a residence-status application or a driving licence.35 x 45 mm正面、無帽、無背景のものverified 2026-10-07

Residence permits

Japanese Residence Status Application Photo (在留資格, 40 x 30 mm)For the 40 x 30 mm photo attached to residence-related applications ('各種申請') at the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁); the Agency's photo page does not list the individual procedures, so check your procedure page for whether a photo is required. Not for a Japanese passport, a My Number Card or a visa applied for at a Japanese mission.30 x 40 mm背景（影を含む。）がないものverified 2026-10-07

Authorities and portals

Passport authority: 外務省 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) / 都道府県パスポートセンター
Sources we read: 外務省 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan), 'パスポート申請用写真の規格' and the notice '旅券（パスポート）用写真についてのお知らせ' (令和7年3月); 地方公共団体情報システム機構 J-LIS (Japan Agency for Local Authority Information Systems), マイナンバーカード総合サイト '顔写真のチェックポイント'; 出入国在留管理庁 (Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice), '提出写真の規格'
Upload portals: マイナポータル passport application (Japan): known issues Official page
My Number Card online application: known issues Official page

We are an independent service, not a government website. Applying for a passport or visa is done with your government; we only prepare the photo.