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You look at your finished ID photo and notice the blemishes, or that your skin looks dull — so you retake it. With a photo you'll use for years, how your skin looks matters.
But here's where many people hesitate: Is retouching even allowed? Won't it get the photo rejected? Japanese ID photos have a clear line between editing that's acceptable and editing that isn't. This guide explains that line — and how to look your best naturally.
There's really just one rule: improving skin texture is fine; changing the shape of your face or features is not.
| Type of edit | ID photo status |
|---|---|
| Smoothing blemishes / acne marks | Generally fine, if natural |
| Reducing spots / dullness | Generally fine, if natural |
| Brightness / skin-tone adjustment | Generally fine, if natural |
| Enlarging eyes / slimming the face | Not allowed (changes features) |
| Altering contours or nose | Not allowed (breaks identity match) |
My Number Card and passport review confirm that the photo matches you. Light skin correction doesn't affect that match, but "morphing" — changing facial parts or contours — is a rejection cause.
Over-editing backfires
Editing that makes you look like a different person can be flagged as "not matching the applicant," leading to re-application. Keeping it natural is what reliably passes.
How retouching is treated depends on the document. For résumés, My Number Card, and many others, evening out the skin naturally is generally accepted. For documents with strict identity checks, however — residence cards in particular — editing or retouching the photo itself may not be permitted (Immigration Services Agency photo standard).
| Document | Natural skin retouch | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Résumé / job-hunting | Generally OK | Within an impression-improving range |
| My Number Card | Skin correction OK | Facial features unchanged |
| Passport | Skin correction OK | No excessive editing |
| Residence card | May not be permitted | Check the Immigration Services Agency standard |
If you're unsure whether retouching is acceptable, first check whether the document requires strict identity verification. When in doubt, keep the correction to a minimum.
mynaphoto applies skin retouching to your uploaded photo within a range that never changes your facial features:
In every case, your face shape, contours, eyes, and nose are left untouched. The photo stays recognizably you — only the skin's impression is gently improved.
Just upload — done
Upload your phone photo to mynaphoto.jp and our AI handles background removal, sizing, spec checks, and natural skin retouching automatically. It covers a wide range of formats including My Number Card, passport, and résumé — one photo makes them all.
Retouching can only do so much. A good original photo makes the result far more natural.
For shooting technique, see our home lighting and background guide.
Better skin, your face unchanged
Just upload your phone photo. Automatic background removal, sizing, and natural skin retouching — your facial shape and features are never altered.
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This article reflects general practice as of July 2026. Whether retouching is accepted can vary by issuing authority. Avoid edits that change facial features, and confirm the final requirements on each authority's official site.
Natural skin retouching — smoothing, blemish removal, brightness — that does not change your facial shape is generally fine. Editing that alters contours, eyes, or nose can cause rejection.
Yes. Acne and blemishes can be evened out naturally. Because your facial shape and features are unchanged, identity verification is not affected. Note that some documents, such as residence cards, do not allow retouching — check the issuing authority's rules.
For some documents with strict identity checks, such as residence cards, editing or retouching the photo is not permitted (Immigration Services Agency standard). For most documents — résumés, My Number Card — natural skin correction is generally accepted.
Yes. mynaphoto naturally evens out blemishes, spots, and dullness. Your facial features are kept as they are, so identity verification is not affected.
Not if your facial shape and features are unchanged. Natural skin correction is generally accepted; excessive editing or contour changes are a common rejection cause.
Yes, within a natural skin-correction range. Avoid editing that changes facial features. Final acceptance is at the discretion of each issuing authority — check their rules.