Japanese Teacher Hiring Exam Photo: Spec and How to Create It

Make a photo for Japan's teacher hiring exam (kyoin saiyo shiken) from a smartphone shot, with AI auto-adjustment, from ¥200.

Official spec data
Dimensions40mm × 30mm
Face lengthNot specified
Top marginNot specified
BackgroundPlain background, no hat — front-facing upper body, no shadows or patterns
Shoot-by windowTaken within 3 months of application
Official issuerPrefectural Boards of Education

View the official source(Last verified: 2026-05-26)

Verbatim official spec

Below is verbatim text from the Osaka Prefecture Board of Education exam guide (Japanese). Specs vary by prefectural board.

  • ここに出願前3ヶ月以内に撮影した、正面半身無帽の写真を貼付してください。縦4cm 横3cm

Why this spec matters

⚠️ Photo requirements for Japan's teacher hiring exam differ across all 47 prefectural boards of education and major designated cities. The 30×40mm size and 3-month freshness window shown here are widely adopted conventions, but you must verify size, freshness window, and any web-submission file specs against the latest exam guide for the prefecture or city you're applying to. Unlike My Number or passport rules, there is no nationwide unified spec, and missing a prefecture-specific detail is a common reason for rejection.

How to create it for ¥200

A 30×40mm photo for the teacher hiring exam takes about two minutes with a smartphone and ¥200. Always cross-check with your target prefecture's current exam guide.

  1. 1

    Take the photo on your smartphone

    Stand against a plain wall in a bright room. Face the camera directly, no hat, upper body framed, natural expression, eyes on the lens.
  2. 2

    AI removes the background and aligns to spec

    Upload the photo. AI removes the background, detects your face, and auto-crops to 30×40mm. Fine-tune position to 0.1mm precision if your prefecture uses a non-standard size.
  3. 3

    Print via QR code at any Japan convenience store

    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. A JPEG file for web submission is also available for download.

Create a Teacher Exam Photo for ¥200

AI auto-adjusts your smartphone shot to the standard 30×40mm size used by most prefectural boards. Custom sizes are supported to 0.1mm precision.

Create now — ¥200

What 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.

Cropping screen with horizontal and vertical guidelines to adjust face position, width, hairline, and chin in 0.1mm units

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

Do the specs really vary by prefecture?
Yes. There is no nationwide unified spec — each of the 47 prefectural boards of education and the designated cities sets its own rules. Most use 30×40mm with a 3-month freshness window, but size and dates can differ. Always check the latest exam guide for the board you're applying to.
What if my prefecture uses a different size?
Ramune AI ID Photo supports a "custom size" mode, so you can output any size (e.g. 25×30mm, 35×45mm) listed in your exam guide. Position can be fine-tuned to 0.1mm precision.
What about online (web) submissions?
Many large boards now accept online submissions and require a 4:3 ratio (e.g. 600×450px), JPEG format, and a file-size cap. Our service lets you download a spec-compliant JPEG, so you can use one source for both paper and online submissions.
Can I reuse a photo from more than 3 months ago?
Most teacher hiring boards require photos taken within the last 3 months — stricter than the 6 months allowed for many other exams. An older photo will likely be rejected, so re-shoot is recommended.
Can I keep my glasses on?
Clear lenses with no reflection or tint are usually fine. If light fixtures or your phone screen reflect in the lenses, the photo may be rejected — remove glasses if unsure.

Create a Teacher Exam Photo for ¥200

AI auto-adjusts your smartphone shot to the standard 30×40mm size used by most prefectural boards. Custom sizes are supported to 0.1mm precision.

Create now — ¥200
Teacher Hiring Exam Photo 30×40mm | ¥200 — Ramune AI ID Photo