Two visa-style photos of yourself for the application

The actual application form for naturalization, called 『帰化許可申請書』 {"kika kyoka shinseisho"}, similar to a Japanese-style resume, has a place for a photograph in the top right corner. You will need two identical photos for both the original and the copy of the application.

You do not need any type of special fancy "visa / passport photographer", though you probably won't be able to get by by taking a self-portrait with your mobile phone, a bathroom mirror, and an inkjet printer.

You can use any automatic self-portrait "photo booth," which are ubiquitous in Japan, especially near train stations. They normally cost anywhere from ¥400 to ¥700 and the machines usually provide two or four photos which can be cut from a single print. At least two of them will be in the proper dimensions for the photograph:

5cm × 5cm.

It can be B&W or color.

The photo should be of you from shoulders up with your entire head visible. Your face should be unobstructed (by accessories or hair or glasses) with your nose being in the center of the photograph. You should not be wearing any headgear that conceals the top part of your head (including religious wear). Unlike your future Japanese passport photo, you may smile excessively if you wish. The two photos you provide must be identical, and they must have been taken within six (6) months of submission of your application.

It goes without saying, I think, that the photo booth should not be a プリクラ {purikura} ("print club") booth that adds any graphical elements (even if they are not cute) on top of the photo or digitally alters the photo in any way.

If you are under 15 years old, the procedure is slightly different. The photo should be of you in the center, with your parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s) visible but behind you..

Do not paste or staple the photos to your application until you actually submit the application to the case worker. On the back of the photos he will ask you to write your (pre-naturalization) name in 漢字 {kanji} (sinograms) and/or 仮名 {kana} (syllabet) such that it exactly matches the name on the application. The case worker will also ask you to write the date — with 和暦 {wareki} (Japanese-era years) — when the photo was taken right below the photo on the space provided on the application form. In my particular case, my case worker had a glue stick on his desk and after examining the photos and back his pasted them to the original application and the copy.

Interestingly, you will never see these photos again. They are for the internal archived file only. If you are approved, you will receive your 帰化者身分証明書 {kikasha mibun shōmeisho} (proof of identity of naturalized citizen) that you will use as a "breeder document" at places like the 区役所／市役所 {kuyakusho/shiyakusho} (Ward Office / City Hall) to create your 戸籍 {koseki} (family register) and other documents that Japanese citizens have. However, despite it being a 『身分証明書』 {"mibun shōmeisho"} (certificate of identity), your photo will not be on it.

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