//
Whether it's a 10-year passport renewal or your first passport ever, the first hurdle is the same: a photo that meets the specification.
Japanese passport photos conform to the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standard, which is also what airport automated gates use for facial verification. The specs are precise and internationally consistent.
This article covers the official MOFA specifications, the smartphone home-shooting workflow, and how the in-person and online application specs differ.
Japanese passport photos have two specifications depending on submission method.
| Item | In-person (paper) | MynaPortal (online) |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 4.5cm × 3.5cm (no border) | 600×730 pixels |
| Face height | 32-36mm (top of head to chin) | 70-80% of photo height |
| Face center | ~±17mm from photo's horizontal center | Near horizontal center |
| Margin from top of head | 2-6mm | Same proportion |
| File format | JPEG | |
| File size limit | — | Under 600KB |
| Recency | Within 6 months | Within 6 months |
| Background | Plain light color (white, light blue, gray) | Same |
Source: MOFA — Passport Photo Specifications, MOFA — Online Application Photo Notes
Important: The in-person and online specifications have different aspect ratios, so the same source photo needs to be sized differently for each submission method.
Japanese passport specifications follow the ICAO international standard, designed so that airport automated gates worldwide can use the same photo format for face authentication.
ICAO's main requirements:
As of March 2025, MynaPortal-based online passport application is available in all prefectures of Japan. Previously it was renewal-only and limited to specific prefectures. New applications are now also handled online nationwide.
Online application benefits:
For the detailed online flow, see Passport Online Application: Photo Upload Procedure.
A raw smartphone shot doesn't yet meet the passport spec. You'll need:
Step 5 can be automated
Upload your phone photo to mynaphoto.jp and Step 5 happens automatically:
The most-cited rejection causes at MOFA and prefectural counters:
MOFA recommends removing glasses for the shot. Lens reflections, frames covering the eyes, and lens-induced distortion all cause issues.
mynaphoto.jp also requires no glasses, for reliable spec compliance. If you wear glasses daily, you only need to remove them for the shot itself.
For the online application process, see Passport Online Application: Photo Upload Procedure. For shooting techniques, see good vs bad ID photos.
Passport photo from home, one shoot
Take a phone photo and upload it. AI handles background removal, sizing, and spec verification.
Create Your PhotoNote
This article is based on MOFA and MynaPortal specifications current as of May 2026. Specifications may change. Please verify the latest information at MOFA — Passport Photo Specifications.
For in-person counter applications: 4.5cm × 3.5cm (no border). For MynaPortal online applications: 600×730 pixels (JPEG, under 600KB). The aspect ratios differ — choose the right size for your submission method.
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends removing glasses. Lens reflections and frames covering the eyes cause rejection. mynaphoto.jp also requires no glasses for the shot.
Within the last 6 months. Older photos are not accepted.
Plain light colors — white, light blue, or light gray. Patterned backgrounds or backgrounds with shadows are not accepted.
Yes, if it meets the ICAO international standard and MOFA's specifications. Upload to mynaphoto.jp and our system handles background removal, sizing, and spec verification automatically.
Direct reuse isn't recommended because the specs differ. With mynaphoto.jp, a single source photo can be output to passport, driver's license, My Number, and 16 other specifications.