Medicine in Japan
Remote Year does not provide legal advice for any countries it visits. We aren't immigration professionals, and, nothing in this document should be construed as visa advice, immigration advice, or legal advice rendered by Remote Year or anyone employed by or associate with Remote Year. This document is a compilation of information that has been found regarding bringing medicine into Japan. For any specific information that you are not able to find, we recommend that you contact International SOS (details on the next slide)
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1) For official medical advice we recommend signing up with International SOS by going to their website and using the Remote Year membership code: 11BYCA602211
Specific medical guidelines for Japan from International SOS
"some drugs may be strictly prohibited (especially narcotics and psychotropics) and may result in severe penalties. Take any medicines you require in their original packaging, including any information leaflets, with them clearly labelled with your name (matching your passport name), and your doctor’s name. Have enough to cover the trip, and extra in case of delays, however note that many destinations limit quantities of certain drugs to a 30-day supply. Carry medication in your hand luggage, with copies of your prescriptions."
2) Generally, if meds are on the list of acceptable prescriptions and within the acceptable quantity (one month supply), it is possible to obtain a doctor's note and letter stating the purpose of the medicine, prior to leaving their home country, which they should carry with them into Japan.
Importing or Bringing Medicine into Japan
3) Remotes who must carry more than one month’s supply (except prohibited drugs and controlled drugs), or are carrying syringes (pumps) or a CPAP machine, are required to obtain an import certificate in advance called a “Yakkan Shoumei”, and show it with the prescriptions at Customs.
Yakkan Shoumei certificate application
4) Some not-so-obvious items are on the strictly prohibited list, such as sinus medicine and inhalers, if it contains more than allowed quantity of stimulant raw materials, even if they are sold over the counter in the US; also, there is a limit to cosmetics or skin and body care products of up to 24 items.
Bringing Medicines & Cosmetics into Japan
5) Adderall is on the strictly prohibited list because it contains more than the allowable stimulant raw materials. Japanese physicians can often prescribe similar, but not identical, substitutes to medicines available in the US, including Adderall. A list of English-speaking facilities in Japan is linked below.
US Embassy listed English speaking facilities in Japan & Japanese Ministry of Health Contacts
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