Japan passport photo (35 × 45 mm)
45 mm high by 35 mm wide, head 32–36 mm, white background recommended — for applications at a passport office.
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes exact figures for the printed passport photo: 45 mm high by 35 mm wide with no border, the face from the crown of the head to the chin 34 ± 2 mm (32–36 mm), 4 ± 2 mm of space above the head and 7 ± 2 mm below the chin, and a plain background — white is recommended, the traditional light blue is still accepted. The photo must have been taken within six months of the application. This preset draws that template on a 413 × 531 pixel, 300 dpi canvas. Applying online through Mynaportal instead? That upload has a different frame, so use the online preset.
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.75 in) |
|---|---|
| Head height (chin to crown) | 32–36 mm |
| Background | white / light blue |
| Glasses | Allowed if eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare |
| Taken within | The last 6 months |
| Prints needed | 1 photo |
| Official source | 外務省 — パスポート申請用写真の規格（令和7年3月3日更新） ↗Checked against the official page on 2026-09-21 |
- 100% freeNo account, no paid download, no watermark.
- Nothing is uploadedYour photo is processed on your device and never reaches a server.
- Official rules, citedEvery size and head-height figure links to the government page it comes from.
- Cheap to printDownload a 4×6 sheet and print it at any photo kiosk instead of paying counter prices for two prints.
What MOFA requires
One photo, 45 mm high by 35 mm wide, borderless, in colour or black and white, taken within the last six months. Head straight, facing the camera, no hat, natural expression that does not differ from your usual appearance, eyes open and clearly visible. The crown-to-chin length must be 34 mm ± 2 mm, the crown must sit 4 mm ± 2 mm below the top edge, and there must be at least 2 mm between each ear and the side edges.
Background: plain, without patterns, shadows or objects, and in clear contrast with your hair and face. MOFA recommends white; the light blue that was common in photo booths remains acceptable. Glasses are allowed but MOFA recommends removing them; tinted lenses, reflections and frames across the eyes are rejected.
How the template works
Select this preset, drop in your photo and drag it until the crown touches the top guide line and the chin falls in the grey band. Those guides are the 32–36 mm rule drawn to scale, so the head height is right by construction and the 2–6 mm top margin follows automatically. The background is replaced with white (or light blue if you choose it) in the browser; nothing is uploaded.
Printing
Download the 4×6 sheet and print it as a normal L-size or 4 × 6 inch photo at a convenience-store kiosk or online print service; cut along the lines. Eight 35 × 45 mm photos fit on one sheet — you need one. Use glossy or matte photo paper, not plain paper.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a photo taken with my phone?
Yes, if it meets the rules above: even lighting, no shadows on the face or background, no filters or retouching, and taken within six months. Have someone else take it at eye level — a selfie at arm's length distorts the face.
White or blue background?
Either is accepted. MOFA now recommends white, so the preset defaults to white; light blue is the second chip.
Is the online (Mynaportal) photo the same?
No. Online applications upload a 600 × 730 pixel JPG of at most 600 KB — a slightly wider frame than 35 × 45. Use the online preset for that.
Do I need to remove my glasses?
MOFA recommends it but does not require it. If you keep them on, there must be no reflection and the frame must not cross your eyes.