Singapore residents have until 13 September 2026 at 11.59pm Singapore time to enter the SJ60 “Go Share Japan Lah!” photo and video contest. Before uploading, check four things: you are eligible, the work was captured in Japan on or after 1 January 2024, the file meets the technical limits, and you hold the necessary rights and consent.
The official terms are the controlling source. This guide translates them into a pre-submission check, but it does not replace the organiser’s rules. Reopen the current JNTO terms immediately before submitting in case the organiser posts a clarification.
SJ60 photo contest eligibility at a glance
| Check | Official requirement | Your action |
|---|---|---|
| Residence | You must reside in Singapore. | Use your current Singapore contact details. |
| Nationality | Entrants must be non-Japanese passport holders. | Do not enter if you hold a Japanese passport. |
| Age | Entrants under 18 need parental or guardian consent. | Secure consent before uploading, not after selection. |
| Capture place and date | The work must have been taken in Japan on or after 1 January 2024. | Check the original file metadata and trip records. |
| Account | The entry process requires a Google account. | Test sign-in early and do not wait for deadline night. |
| Entry limit | Up to three entries per category. | Rank your strongest work instead of submitting near-duplicates. |
Our file-readiness validator
Run the original export, not a messaging-app copy, through this checklist. Recompression can strip metadata and reduce quality.
| Entry type | Accepted file | Limit | Pass test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo | PNG or JPEG | Maximum 20MB | The file extension and actual format match, it opens cleanly and the size is below 20MB. |
| Video | MOV or MP4 | 20 seconds to 1 minute; maximum 500MB | Duration is at least 20 seconds and no more than 60 seconds, and the exported file is below 500MB. |
The official rules also exclude watermarks and borders. Export a clean final file. Do not add a logo, social handle, decorative frame or rights notice on the image itself. Keep a separate master and a record of when and where it was captured.
Rights and consent decision tree
- Did you capture the work yourself? If no, stop. Stock material, files taken from the internet and another person’s work are not valid entries.
- Was any part AI-generated? If yes, stop. The official terms prohibit AI-generated content.
- Are people identifiable? If yes, obtain permission suitable for the organiser’s stated use. For a child, obtain consent from the parent or guardian.
- Does the frame contain protected artwork, a private performance or restricted property? If you are unsure, check the venue’s photography rules and rights before entry.
- Is music used in a video? Use only audio you created or are licensed to submit under the contest terms. A track being available inside a social app does not automatically grant contest rights.
This is a practical risk screen derived from the organiser’s ownership, consent and prohibited-content clauses. It cannot resolve every copyright or privacy question. When rights are uncertain, submit a different work with a clean provenance trail.
Keep the untouched original file as evidence of authorship and capture date.
A submission timetable that leaves room for errors
| When | Task |
|---|---|
| Seven days before | Choose the category, locate original files and verify the Japan capture date. |
| Five days before | Obtain appearance consent and clear any music or third-party rights. |
| Three days before | Export to the accepted format, test duration and file size, and remove watermarks or borders. |
| One day before | Sign in to the Google account, read the final terms and complete the upload. |
| After submission | Save the confirmation, entered file, caption and source records together. |
What judges are looking for
JNTO’s terms identify relevance, impact and technique as judging considerations. A beautiful frame still needs a clear connection to the contest’s Singapore-Japan theme. Write a factual caption that explains the place, moment and personal relevance without inventing a story. Editing should improve legibility without turning the work into a misleading scene.
The organiser says successful entrants will be contacted by email around early November, with the award event tentatively planned for late November. Those timings are provisional. Watch the email address used for entry, including the spam folder, and do not pay anyone who claims a fee is required to release a prize.
How to choose among several Japan images
First remove anything that fails the rules. Then score each remaining work from one to five for theme relevance, immediate visual impact and technical control. The three-factor total is our comparison method, not the organiser’s scoring formula. If two images tie, favour the one with a stronger, verifiable Singapore-Japan connection and simpler rights position.
Planning another trip should remain separate from the contest. Check our Japan travel rules guide before departure. Photographers staying local can practise timing and exposure on the Japanese Orchid Garden morning tour, but only work captured in Japan qualifies for SJ60.
Final 60-second check
- Singapore resident and non-Japanese passport holder.
- Parent or guardian consent if under 18.
- Captured in Japan on or after 1 January 2024.
- Photo is PNG/JPEG under 20MB, or video is MOV/MP4, 20 to 60 seconds and under 500MB.
- No stock, internet-sourced or AI-generated material.
- No watermark or border.
- All identifiable people and third-party elements are cleared.
- No more than three entries in the chosen category.
- Submitted by 11.59pm SGT on 13 September 2026.
Sources
- Japan National Tourism Organization: official SJ60 contest page.
- Japan National Tourism Organization: official terms and conditions, checked 29 August 2026.
- Embassy of Japan in Singapore: SJ60 programme context.
