Japan's Immigration Services Agency (ISA) announced that starting June 14, 2026, children applying for residence cards and special permanent resident certificates will be required to submit facial photographs. This new rule targets applicants aged one to 16 years and aims to improve identification processes. Notably, children who submit applications before this date but will turn one by June 14 may also be asked to provide a photograph. Some ISA offices have already begun requesting photographs as part of a discretionary practice during the transition period, which may continue until the official implementation. Additionally, applicants submitting notifications or applications for special permanent resident certificates between June 10 and June 13, 2026, will also need to comply with the photograph requirement if they are at least one year old by the implementation date. To facilitate this change, Japan's online residence application system is expected to be updated to include the new photograph submission requirement by the same date.