Japan High School Equivalency Exam (Kosotsu Nintei) Photo Spec and How to Create It
Make a photo for Japan's MEXT High School Equivalency Exam (Kosotsu Nintei) at the official 30×40mm spec, from ¥200.
| Dimensions | 40mm × 30mm |
|---|---|
| Face length | Not specified |
| Top margin | Not specified |
| Background | Plain background — no specific color, no headwear, front-facing upper body, face clearly identifiable |
| Shoot-by window | Taken within 6 months of application |
| Official issuer | Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) |
View the official source ↗(Last verified: 2026-05-27)
Verbatim official spec
The verbatim rules from Japan's Ministry of Education (MEXT) application guide are shown below in the original Japanese.
- 「写真2枚（4cmx3cm）」
- 「出願前6か月以内に撮影した写真を使用してください」
- 「2枚同一の写真を使用してください」
- 「無帽、背景無地、正面上半身の写真を使用してください。(顔がはっきり確認できるもの）」
- 「裏面に氏名と受験希望都道府県名を記入してください」
Why this spec matters
The High School Equivalency Exam (Kosotsu Nintei) is a national examination administered directly by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Passing certifies academic ability equivalent to or above a high school graduate, granting eligibility to apply to universities, junior colleges, and vocational schools, as well as serving as a high-school-equivalent qualification for employment. It is established under Article 150 of the Enforcement Regulation of the School Education Act and was renamed from the former University Entrance Qualification Examination (Daiken) in 2005. Eligibility is anyone aged 16 or older with no upper age limit. The exam is held twice yearly (August and November), and passed subjects remain valid permanently across years, so candidates can accumulate credits over multiple attempts. ⚠️ The photo size happens to coincide at 30×40mm with the Common University Entrance Exam, but these are entirely separate examinations with different legal bases and administering bodies — do not confuse the application windows. A total of 16,820 candidates took the exam in FY Reiwa 7.
How to create it for ¥200
With a smartphone and ¥200, you can prepare a MEXT-spec-compliant Kosotsu Nintei photo in about two minutes.
- 1
Take the photo on your smartphone
Stand against a plain wall in a bright room, no headwear, front-facing, upper body only. Use only the standard camera app — turn off beauty filters. - 2
AI removes the background and adjusts to MEXT spec
Upload the photo. AI evens out the background to a plain backdrop, detects the face, and auto-crops to 40mm tall × 30mm wide for the Kosotsu Nintei spec. - 3
Print two copies via konbini QR — write back fields — affix and mail to MEXT
After payment, a QR code and 8-digit user number arrive by email. Print two identical L-size copies at any Japan convenience store from ¥30, write your name AND desired exam prefecture on the back of each, affix to the application document, and mail to MEXT.
Create a Kosotsu Nintei Photo for ¥200
AI auto-adjusts your smartphone shot to the MEXT official spec (30×40mm). The two-identical / within-6-months requirements are also handled.
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
How is this different from the Common University Entrance Exam (Kyotsu Test)?
Are passed subjects valid for future attempts?
Is there an age limit for eligibility?
Why do the two photos need to be identical?
Is there a CBT (computer-based testing) version?
Related content
Create a Kosotsu Nintei Photo for ¥200
AI auto-adjusts your smartphone shot to the MEXT official spec (30×40mm). The two-identical / within-6-months requirements are also handled.
Create now — ¥200