Japanese Passport Photo Rules: What to Watch Out For
Do you have a passport? Now that overseas travel is picking up again, many people are probably thinking about getting one.
On top of that, from March 2023, Japanese passports can be renewed online. It's great that the process is becoming so much easier.
What you need when applying for or renewing a passport is an ID photo.
In this article, we've put together the rules to watch out for when taking an ID photo for a Japanese passport!
Passport Photo Tip #1: Choose a Plain, Light-Colored Background
The background must be plain, without exception. Even a wall with a textured surface can be treated as a pattern and rejected, so shoot against a perfectly smooth, plain background.
The background color matters too. With a dark background, the line between your hair and the backdrop becomes hard to see, and your whole face can look dark and unclear.
To be safe, choose a plain, light background. It keeps the outline of your head clearly separated from the backdrop and makes your face look bright.
Passport Photo Tip #2: Be Careful with Accessories!
Since you'll be using your passport for years, you might want to wear your favorite accessories in the photo. But be careful with them.
The rules issued by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs state that anything covering the eyes, ears, nose, or mouth is not allowed. Earrings are especially likely to break this rule, since large ones can cover part of your ear.
Headbands and hair bands also need care. They can be judged to be covering part of your head.
Passport Photo Tip #3: Your Clothing Can Be an Unexpected Pitfall
Many people forget this one: white clothing is not allowed in passport photos.
As mentioned in Tip #1, a plain, light-colored background is recommended.
However, if you wear white against a plain, light background, it becomes hard to tell where you end and the background begins.
Passport photos must show a clear distinction between the person and the background, so a photo like this won't pass the review.
It's not just white. Any light-colored clothing can blend into a light background or look blurry, so it's best to avoid it.
Just remember: for passport photos, light background, dark clothing.
Passport Photo Tip #4: Unexpected Shadows Can Get Your Photo Rejected
A passport photo will be rejected if there is a shadow behind you or across your face.
Up to this point, you're probably thinking, "Well, of course."
But there is another source of shadows that people often don't expect.
That's false eyelashes and eyelash extensions.
They can cast shadows over your eyes. Did you know that?
It's an easy thing to overlook. The main purpose of a passport is to confirm your identity, so if shadows hide the area around your eyes, they can't be seen clearly and the photo will be rejected.
If you want to look your best in a photo you'll use for years and are planning to wear false lashes or get extensions, keep this in mind.
In this article, we introduced the points to watch out for in ID photos for Japanese passports.
For more detailed requirements, see the document published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (in Japanese).
https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/files/100171389.pdf
If you're worried about whether you can take a photo that meets the requirements, why not leave it to a photo studio? If you show them the rules, they can create a photo that complies with them.
- I love writing and I'm currently studying copywriting. I turn the questions our guests often ask and the things I notice in the studio into easy-to-read articles about job-hunting and ID photos, so that even first-timers can understand them.
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