【For International Students】No More Worries! A Complete Guide to Photo Manners for Job Hunting in Japan

September 7, 2026 September 7, 2026

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As you begin job hunting (Shukatsu) in Japan, you might have various questions and concerns, such as: "Is it okay to wear casual clothes for the photo?" "What kind of hairstyle and makeup are considered correct?" "How much retouching is acceptable?"

Unlike job hunting in your home country, Japan has its own unique rules and manners when it comes to ID photos. The photo is an important element that gives the hiring manager your "first impression."

In this guide, "19Studio," which takes photos for many job-seeking students, explains the basic manners for job hunting ID photos in Japan and tips for making a good impression in an easy-to-understand way that international students need to know!

Clothing: The standard is a "Recruit Suit"
Hairstyle and Hair Color: Make your face look bright and approachable
Makeup and Facial Hair: Prioritize a clean, well-groomed look
Expression and Posture: Project sincerity and confidence
Background Color and Size: Don't forget Web Entry Sheet (ES) preparations!
To prevent a gap between the photo and "the real you"
Summary

Clothing: The standard is a "Recruit Suit"

For job hunting ID photos in Japan, wearing a recruit suit (black or dark navy) for both men and women is the standard.

Men
- jacket: Plain black or dark navy.
- Shirt: Plain white dress shirt with a standard collar. Button it up firmly to the neck.
- Tie: Choose a plain, subtle pattern (solid, stripes, dots, etc.) in a non-flashy color (blue, light blue, burgundy, etc.). Tie it straight so there is no distortion.
Women：
- Jacket: Plain black or dark navy.
- Shirt: Plain white shirt with a standard collar or skipper collar.

Hairstyle and Hair Color: Make your face look bright and approachable

The most important point regarding hairstyle is "making sure your eyebrows, eyes, and ears are clearly visible."

Bangs: Split or sweep them to the side so they do not cover your eyes. Showing your eyebrows creates a bright and sincere impression.
Long Hair (Women & Men): Tie it back in a ponytail or tuck it behind your ears to keep the area around your face clean and tidy.
Hair Color: Black hair is the basic standard. If you have light hair, it is advisable to dye it black or tone it down to a natural dark brown before the photo session.

Makeup and Facial Hair: Prioritize a clean, well-groomed look

Women (Makeup)
"Natural makeup" is the baseline. Avoid overly flashy makeup (thick eyeliner, excessively bright lipstick, etc.) and aim for a healthy, natural complexion.
Men (Facial Hair & Skin)
As a general rule, shaving your facial hair cleanly is proper etiquette. If you are concerned about oily skin or dark circles, applying a light layer of BB cream or powder creates a fresh look.

Expression and Posture: Project sincerity and confidence

Posture: Straighten your back and lightly pull your chin in.
Expression: A serious expression with your mouth firmly closed, or a natural smile with the corners of your mouth slightly raised, is best. Looking completely expressionless can make you look intimidating, while smiling too broadly can look overly casual.

Background Color and Size: Don't forget Web Entry Sheet (ES) preparations!

Background Color: "White," "light blue," and "gray" are standard.
Photo Size: For paper resumes: 4 cm vertical × 3 cm horizontal (write your name on the back before pasting it). For web data: Prepare the pixel size specified by the company (generally a 4:3 ratio). Since web application is currently mainstream, obtaining digital data is essential.

19Studio's Commitment: Minimizing the gap between your photo and your interview

We sometimes receive requests like, "I want to slim down my jawline" or "I want to change the shape of my eyes or facial features." However, at 19Studio, we do not recommend excessive retouching (editing) that alters your actual facial features.

Furthermore, while some photo studios offer packages that include professional hair and makeup, 19Studio intentionally does not provide hair and makeup services.

There are clear reasons why 19Studio values this approach：

1. To prevent a gap between the photo and "the real you"

At 19Studio, we believe that "when you meet the interviewer face-to-face, the gap between the resume photo and the real person should be as small as possible."

If retouching is too heavy and strays too far from your actual appearance, it may cause a sense of awkwardness during the interview. That is why 19Studio prioritizes subtle adjustments that highlight the charm of "the real you."

2. So you can attend the interview on the actual day as "your usual, well-impressioned self"

If a professional gives you perfect hair and makeup, you will get a very beautiful photo at the time of the shoot.
However, if you cannot recreate that same hair and makeup by yourself on the day of the interview, a difference in impression between the photo and the real person will be created, which could actually lead to a negative impression.
For this reason, 19Studio asks customers to do their own hair and makeup.

By taking the photo with hair and makeup you did yourself, you can meet the interviewer on the day of the interview looking just like your photo—a "clean and well-groomed you"—which ultimately leads to trust.

"Natural and Favorable Adjustments" Proposed by 19Studio

Instead of changing face shapes or features, 19Studio performs natural adjustments that enhance a clean, healthy, and refreshing impression.

【Examples of natural adjustments performed by 19Studio】

Mitigating skin breakouts, pimples, and dark circles under the eyes
Fine-tuning the height of shoulders and posture alignment
Removing stray hair (flyaways)
Adjusting skin tone and overall photo brightness

We aim for a finish that projects a sincere and fresh impression while bringing out your authentic charm.

If you are taking an ID photo in Tokyo, 19Studio is highly recommended!

"I'm worried about whether my clothes, hair, and makeup are done correctly..." "I'm not sure if my expression or posture is right."

If you are an international student feeling this way, please leave it to 19Studio!

At 19Studio, professional staff will carefully advise you on grooming, posture, and expressions during the shoot. While taking care to avoid any gap between the photo and the real person at the interview, we will finish your photo naturally to bring out your maximum charm.

Our entire staff is dedicated to supporting you so that you can start your job search fully prepared. We sincerely look forward to your visit!

Click here for details!

Summary

There are several basic rules regarding clothing, hairstyles, and expressions for job hunting ID photos in Japan.

You might feel confused by unfamiliar manners, but you can feel secure as long as you prepare by keeping these basic points in mind. Understand the rules thoroughly, prepare a favorable ID photo that conveys your true self, and take your first step toward job hunting!