Japan's MOFA asks for a 35x45mm borderless photo with a 34mm (±2mm) head, on a plain light background, taken within the last six months.
Japan states that an image-processed photo is unsuitable, and asks for no background at all — no shadow, pattern, object or gradation — with white merely recommended. Shoot against a plain wall and use this tool only to crop and size.
MOFA's 35x45mm spec, a 34mm head, and the paper rule that catches people printing at home.
Consulates require glossy photo paper.
The print must be borderless, with no white edge.
Chin to crown, centred in the frame.
White, light grey or light blue are all accepted.
35x45mm with the head at 34mm, plus or minus 2mm.
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes the head height as 34mm ±2mm, which gives a practical range of 32mm to 36mm from chin to crown within the 35x45mm frame.
This matches the standard ICAO geometry, so a Japanese passport photo is the same shape as a Schengen or Australian one. What differs is how the print itself is judged.
Glossy photo paper only — home inkjet and laser prints are refused.
Japanese consulates require glossy photo paper. Matte paper, home inkjet prints and laser prints are commonly rejected at the counter, even when the crop and measurements are perfect.
If you are applying abroad, take the file to a photo lab or a print kiosk rather than printing it yourself. This is the single most common reason a technically correct Japanese passport photo gets sent back.
No frame, and a plain light background in white, grey or blue.
The photo must be borderless — no decorative frame, no white margin, no visible cut edge from a larger sheet.
MOFA accepts white, light grey and light blue backgrounds, which is more permissive than most countries. Whichever you use, it must be plain, uniform and free of shadows.
Neutral face, centred, eyes open and mouth closed.
Your facial expression should be neutral, with your eyes open and your mouth closed, and your face positioned in the centre of the photo.
The photo must have been taken within the last six months. Hair should not cover the eyes, and nothing should obscure the outline of the face.
Printed at 35 x 45mm, 413 x 531px, JPG/PNG. Computed from this photo's own specification, not typed by hand.
Requirements verified · Source: 大阪府 — 写真の規格・見本, 東京都生活文化スポーツ局 — パスポート写真の規格と見本
Watch out — Retouched or AI-edited photos are refused — Japan states that an image-processed photo is unsuitable, and asks for no background at all — no shadow, pattern, object or gradation — with white merely recommended. Shoot against a plain wall and use this tool only to crop and size.
Create the 35x45mm photo Japan's MOFA asks for — a 34mm head, plain light background, borderless, free and 100% private.
Choose a clear, recent photo from your phone or computer.
We crop to 35x45mm with your head at 34mm, ±2mm.
Save the file and print it borderless on glossy photo paper.
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