Japan NPA (Kokka Komuin) Exam Photo: Size Spec and How to Create It
Make a Japan civil-servant exam application photo that meets the National Personnel Authority rules exactly, from a smartphone shot, for ¥200. Same spec for Comprehensive, General, and Specialist tracks.
| Dimensions | 40mm × 30mm |
|---|---|
| Face length | Not specified |
| Top margin | Not specified |
| Background | No official color requirement — a plain, light-colored wall under even lighting is the conventional choice |
| Shoot-by window | Taken within 6 months of application |
| Official issuer | National Personnel Authority (NPA) |
View the official source ↗(Last verified: 2026-05-26)
Verbatim official spec
The verbatim official spec from the National Personnel Authority's 2026 exam guide is shown below in the original Japanese.
- 「本人であることが明瞭に確認できる写真（６か月以内に撮影した、脱帽・上半身・正面向きの縦４cm 横３cm のもの。カラー、白黒どちらでも可）」
Why this spec matters
The Japan civil-servant exam (Kokka Komuin Shiken) photo is checked at the application-intake stage, well before any interview. A spec failure means your application is not accepted, or you are asked to resubmit — and if the deadline passes, you lose the entire exam cycle. Treating this as a stricter gate than the interview itself is the right mental model. Online applications are especially prone to slipping through with wrong aspect ratios that only become visible when printed.
How to create it for ¥200
A spec-compliant Japan civil-servant exam photo takes about two minutes with a smartphone and ¥200.
- 1
Take the photo on your smartphone
Stand against a plain wall in a bright room. No hat, upper body in frame, facing the camera directly. Wear a suit or collared shirt, with a natural expression and eyes on the lens. - 2
AI removes the background and aligns to spec
Upload the photo. AI removes the background, detects your face, and auto-crops to the 30mm × 40mm NPA aspect ratio. Fine-tune position to 0.1mm precision. - 3
Print at any Japan convenience store via QR code
After payment, a QR code and 8-digit user number arrive by email. Print on L-size paper at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, Ministop, or Poplar — from ¥30.
Create a Spec-Compliant NPA Exam Photo for ¥200
AI auto-adjusts your smartphone shot to the National Personnel Authority's official rules. A QR code for convenience-store printing is emailed to you.
Create now — ¥200What Ramune AI ID Photo offers
Even for a tight spec like My Number, you can finish the entire shoot → process → print workflow in your browser.
0.1mm face position adjustment
Drag the hairline, chin, and face-width guides — or type the millimetre value — to fit inside even a 4mm-wide regulatory window like the My Number spec.
Auto-generated L-size print sheet
Multiple photos optimally arranged on L-size paper with cut marks. Print directly at home or at a convenience store.
AI removes the background automatically
Walls or objects in the original shot are auto-removed; AI converts the photo to the plain background the spec requires.
AI skin smoothing with a natural finish
Auto-reduces blemishes and uneven tone while keeping a natural look. Choose between the original and the smoothed version.
Print at 55,000 convenience stores nationwide
Scan a QR code at the multi-copy machine in 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, Ministop, or Poplar — L-size prints from ¥30.
5-language support, no app required
Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese — works entirely in your smartphone browser without installing an app.
Frequently asked questions
Color or black-and-white — which makes a better impression?
Can I keep my glasses on?
How strictly is the 6-month rule enforced?
Do I have to wear a suit, or is casual clothing OK?
Does the spec differ between Comprehensive, General, and Specialist tracks?
Related content
Create a Spec-Compliant NPA Exam Photo for ¥200
AI auto-adjusts your smartphone shot to the National Personnel Authority's official rules. A QR code for convenience-store printing is emailed to you.
Create now — ¥200