Dec 06, 2022
Bringing or Importing Medicines into Japan
When traveling to another country, laws can radically differ from your home country. This is especially true in Japan concerning prescription and OTC medicines. Medicines one may find no problem back home can be non-existent here, and other medications can be why you were arrested. We have compiled some links and brief explanations to help you navigate Japan’s stances and systems.
An Overview of Personal Medication Groups
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (Henceforth, “MHLW”) splits information about bringing in medication for personal use into four groups:
- Drugs, Quasi Drugs
- Cosmetics
- Medical Devices
- Narcotics, Psychotropics
Certain sections are very straightforward. Cosmetics, for instance, have a hard limit of 24 of any one item. The website gives an example that you can have up to 24 sticks of lipstick regardless of brand or color.
However, other sections, specifically Groups 1 (Drugs, Quasi Drugs) and 4 (Narcotics, Psychotropics), are more complicated.
Rather than searching by the brand name of your medicine, you will need to look at the ingredients list and compare them to the lists found on the MHLW and the Narcotic Control Department (Henceforth “NCD”) websites.
The “Hard No” Items
Under no circumstances should you even bother trying to bring in the following. Regardless of the legality of the below substances in your home country, you will find yourself facing arrest and deportation if you have any of the below in any form, regardless of a valid doctor’s prescription:
- Heroin
- Opium powder
- Methamphetamine and Amphetamine
- Methaqualone
- Cannabis
It is worth repeating: These five categories are non-negotiable and illegal. You risk significant legal ramifications.
Regarding ADHD Medications and Medicinal Marijuana
The NCD website makes things cut and dry with its FAQ section found here.
Here is a quick summary:
- Adderall is not allowed, but Vyvanse is permitted so long as you receive advanced permission.
- Medicinal marijuana or medicines derived from marijuana are not allowed under any circumstances.
- Marinol, being synthetic THC, is considered not derived from cannabis and thus may be imported and exported with advanced permission.
Bringing Your Prescription or OTC Medication into Japan
Suppose you have reviewed the content above and found your medication on the lists for Groups 1 (Drugs, Quasi Drugs), 2 or 3. In that case, you may be required to obtain a Yunyu Kakunin-sho (輸入確認書, lit. “Import Confirmation Certificate,” but the MHLW and NCD websites leave it untranslated) before entering the country.
Details can be found via a PDF on the MHLW’s website.
A convenient flow chart related to psychotropics from the NCD’s website is found here.
For the most up-to-date and accurate information, please refer to the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare’s website when going to check on your specific medication. They also provide telephone and email addresses should you wish to make a detailed inquiry before departing for Japan. Where you need to inquire will depend on which of the four groups your medication falls under. Please be especially careful if your medication is considered a narcotic or psychotropic as the process is different.
Bringing Narcotics or Psychotropics into Japan
If you will bring in Group 4 items (Narcotics, Psychotropics), you may be required to obtain either a Yakkan Shoumei (薬監証明, lit. “Supervised Pharmaceutical Certificate,” but the NCD website leaves it untranslated) or a Certificate as per the NCD website’s flow chart.
Your application process will involve contacting the NCD division in charge of the region of Japan where you will arrive. You can find the contact information from the chart here. Application forms and samples can be found in the NCD flow chart link above.
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For Inquiries
Kanto-Shin’etsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare (For those planning to enter via Haneda or Narita)
TEL: +81-48-740-0800 (048-740-0800 from within Japan)
Email: yakkan@mhlw.go.jp
Kinki Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare (For those planning to enter from Kansai, Chubu, Naha and western Japan)
TEL: +81-6-6942-4096 (081-6942-4096 from within Japan)
Email: kiyakuji@mhlw.go.jp
More Information
Please see the following websites for more detailed information:
- Ministry of Health, Labor & Welfare – Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan
- Ministry of Health, Labor & Welfare – Q&A for those who are bringing medication into Japan
- Narcotics Control Department – Entering Japan Carrying Narcotics
Photo: guvo59 [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
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