Get the exact head size, background, and proportions Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires, cropped automatically from a single upload.
Every passport and renewal application submitted to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) must include a photo that meets a strict 35mm × 45mm specification, with no rounding allowed. Applicants apply in person at a prefectural Passport Center or governor's office passport division, but the photo standard itself is set nationally by MOFA and enforced identically whether you're applying in Tokyo, Osaka, or at a consulate overseas. The two most common reasons a photo is rejected at the counter are a head measured outside the 32–36mm range and a background with shadow, texture, or color outside the approved white-to-light-gray spectrum. Because a rejected photo usually means a second trip to the counter, getting the dimensions, framing, and background right before you arrive matters more for a Japan passport photo than for most other countries.
Most rejected Japan passport photos aren't blurry or obviously wrong — they're off by a millimeter or two in head height, or the crop includes a sliver of shadow along one edge that's invisible until a MOFA reviewer measures it by hand. Passport Photo Maker handles that measurement for you. Upload one photo and the tool detects your face, measures the chin-to-crown distance, and crops to a true 35×45mm frame with your head sized inside MOFA's 32–36mm window — not a generic passport-photo crop reused from another country's spec.
Once cropped, the tool replaces your background with a flat, shadow-free white field, checks that both ears and the full face oval sit inside frame, and outputs a 35×45mm digital file for online MOFA renewal uploads plus a multi-copy print sheet — useful since most prefectural Passport Centers still ask for a physical print at the counter.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Photo Size | 35mm × 45mm (3.5cm × 4.5cm) |
| Width | 35mm (1.38 in) |
| Height | 45mm (1.77 in) |
| Background | Plain white, light gray, or light blue — no pattern, no shadow |
| Head Size (chin to crown) | 32mm – 36mm |
| Resolution | Minimum 300 DPI; sharp, undistorted, no compression artifacts |
| File Format | JPEG for online MOFA applications; matte or glossy print for in-person submission |
| Glasses Rules | Allowed if eyes are fully visible with no glare; tinted lenses not accepted |
| Expression Rules | Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open, facing forward |
| Age of Photo | Taken within 6 months of the application date |
MOFA specifies the photo in physical millimeters, not pixels, because the final requirement is a printed photo handed across the counter. If you're cropping with editing software or preparing a file for the online renewal portal, here's the pixel equivalent at common print resolutions:
| Resolution | Pixel Dimensions (35×45mm) |
|---|---|
| 300 DPI (standard print) | 413 × 531 px |
| 600 DPI (Passport Photo Maker default) | 827 × 1063 px |
| 96 DPI (screen preview only — not for printing) | 132 × 170 px |
Japan doesn't use a single national passport office — applications route through Regional and Prefectural Passport Offices (ROP) acting under MOFA's standards. The process generally runs in five stages:
Since 2023, MOFA has allowed certain passport renewals and address or name updates to be completed online through a My Number Card-linked portal rather than an in-person Passport Office visit. Eligible applicants upload a digital photo instead of submitting a print. The composition rules don't change for the digital path — the same 35×45mm proportions, the same 32–36mm head size, and the same plain background still apply; only the submission method changes. The portal checks the uploaded file's proportions and rejects images that don't match the standard aspect ratio, so a photo cropped for a different country's passport size won't pass automatically. Not every applicant is eligible for online renewal — first-time applicants and anyone needing a visible appearance change typically still need to visit a Passport Office in person.
MOFA doesn't restrict clothing style — kimono, suits, casual wear, and school uniforms are all acceptable as long as the clothing doesn't blend into the background or resemble an official uniform. Headwear is where most confusion happens: hats, caps, and headphones aren't permitted for any applicant, but headwear worn daily for religious reasons, such as a hijab, is allowed as long as the full oval of the face — from chin to forehead and both edges of the cheeks — stays visible and uncovered. Sunglasses and tinted prescription glasses aren't accepted under either rule.
The official Japan passport photo size is 35mm × 45mm. In inches, this equals approximately 1.38 × 1.77 inches.
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Millimeters | 35 × 45 mm |
| Centimeters | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Inches | 1.38 × 1.77 in |
Yes, as long as the final image meets MOFA's 35×45mm size, plain background, and 32–36mm head-size requirements. A phone photo against a flat, evenly lit wall works as a starting point; a cropping tool then handles the precise measurements that are hard to judge by eye.
Passport Office staff check photos by hand against a measurement guide before accepting an application. A non-compliant photo is returned on the spot, meaning you'll need to retake it and return another day rather than finishing the application in one visit.
Glasses are allowed if both eyes are fully visible with no glare or reflection on the lenses. Tinted or colored lenses, including light photochromic ones, aren't accepted.
Most prefectural Passport Offices ask for one printed photo to attach to the application, though some request a spare. Bringing two identical prints avoids a second trip if the counter asks for an extra copy.
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sets the national photo standard and issues the passport, even though applications are physically submitted at a prefectural Passport Office or governor's office passport division.
Eligible renewal applicants can upload a digital photo through MOFA's online renewal portal instead of submitting a print. The photo still needs to match the standard 35×45mm proportions and 32–36mm head size — only the submission method changes.
Children and infants need the same 35×45mm photo with a plain background and neutral expression as adults. There's no exception for a closed-mouth smile or for another person's hands appearing in frame, which makes infant photos one of the more frequently rejected categories.
The photo must be taken within 6 months of the date you submit your application. Photos older than that are rejected even if every other measurement is correct.
Japan passport photos measure 1.38 × 1.77 inches, equivalent to 35 × 45 millimeters.
Upload one photo and get a 35×45mm, MOFA-compliant Japan passport photo — correctly sized, correctly cropped, ready for your Passport Office visit or online renewal.
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