Medications Requiring a Yakkan Shoumei (薬監証明)
A Yakkan Shoumei (薬監証明, pronounced *yah-kan show-may*) is an import certificate issued by the MHLW that allows you to bring quantities of controlled or regulated medication into Japan that exceed the standard allowance for personal use.
You need a Yakkan Shoumei if:
- You are bringing more than a one-month supply of any prescription medication
- You are bringing any quantity of a narcotic or psychotropic that requires advance registration
- You are bringing injectable medications (including insulin, depending on the amount)
- You are bringing certain psychotropic medications including methylphenidate-based ADHD drugs for a stay longer than one month
What Medications Require a Yakkan Shoumei?
How to Apply for a Yakkan Shoumei: Step-by-Step
The Yakkan Shoumei application is handled by the Regional Bureaus of Health and Welfare under the MHLW. The process takes approximately 2–4 weeks, so begin well in advance of your departure.
Step 1: Gather your documents
You will need:
- A letter from your prescribing physician on official letterhead, in English, stating:
- Your full name and date of birth
- The medication name (both brand and generic/INN name)
- The dosage and form (e.g., 30 mg tablet)
- The daily dose and treatment duration
- The reason the medication is medically necessary
- A copy of the original prescription (if applicable)
- A copy of your passport
Step 2: Prepare the application form
Download the Yakkan Shoumei application form from the MHLW website (available in Japanese and English). Complete the form with:
- Medication name
- Quantity to be imported (in total units, e.g., "60 tablets")
- Your travel dates
- Your contact information in Japan (hotel address is acceptable)
Step 3: Submit the application
Applications can be submitted:
- By mail to the nearest Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Sendai, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, or Hokkaido)
- By email or online portal (availability varies by bureau — check the MHLW website for the most current submission method)
Step 4: Receive your certificate
The certificate is typically issued within 10 business days. It will be sent to you by post or email (PDF format depending on the bureau). Print a copy to carry with your medication.
Step 5: At customs
Present the Yakkan Shoumei at the customs counter when entering Japan. Keep your medication in its original packaging with the pharmacy label visible. Carry the physician's letter alongside the certificate.
Standard Allowances Without a Yakkan Shoumei
For travelers who do not require a Yakkan Shoumei, the following allowances apply for personal use:
These limits apply per person per entry. If you are traveling for more than a month and need a larger supply of a non-narcotic prescription medication, apply for a Yakkan Shoumei.
Allergy Medicines: What You Can and Cannot Bring
Allergy medications are a particular concern for many travelers because some common Western products contain pseudoephedrine — a stimulant precursor that Japan restricts under its Stimulant Drug Control Law.
Allergy Medicine Importability at a Glance
The most common mistake travelers make is bringing a combination allergy-decongestant product such as Claritin-D or Zyrtec-D. The "D" in the brand name stands for decongestant — typically pseudoephedrine — and these products are not permitted into Japan. If you use these products, switch to the standard non-D version before your trip, or ask your doctor about alternatives.
Prescription Medication Best Practices
Even for medications that are clearly permitted, following these practices will help you clear customs smoothly and ensure you can get medical care if needed.
Keep Medicines in Original Packaging
Always travel with prescription medicines in their original pharmacy containers, with the pharmacy label showing your name, the prescribing doctor's name, the drug name, and the dosage. Loose tablets in unmarked containers are a red flag at any customs inspection.
Carry a Doctor's Letter
For any prescription medication, ask your prescribing doctor for a letter on official letterhead that includes:
- Your name
- The medication name (generic/INN name, not just brand name)
- The dosage
- The clinical reason for the prescription
- The expected duration of treatment
- The doctor's signature and contact details
An English letter is ideal. If your doctor only provides one in your home language, consider having it translated by a certified medical translator before departure.
Declare at Customs When in Doubt
Japanese customs officers are generally professional and knowledgeable. If you are uncertain whether a medication requires declaration, declare it proactively. Failure to declare controlled substances — even inadvertently — can result in serious consequences.
Split Your Supply When Traveling with Others
If you are traveling with a partner or companion and you both take the same medication, each person can carry their own personal supply up to the individual limit. This can help if you need more than the standard single-person allowance.
Narcotics Import Certificate: A Separate Process
For narcotic analgesics such as morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, hydromorphone, or high-dose codeine, a Yakkan Shoumei alone is insufficient. You must also obtain a Narcotics Import Certificate (麻薬輸入許可証, *Mayaku Yunyu Kyoka-sho*) from the MHLW.
This is a more complex process and requires:
- Your physician's letter
- The MHLW narcotics import application form
- The exact quantities and dosage form specified
- Typically 3–6 weeks processing time
Contact the MHLW Narcotics Control Department or the Japanese embassy in your country for guidance specific to your medication.
Syringes and Medical Devices
If you need to travel with syringes, lancets, or other sharp medical devices:
- A doctor's letter is required explaining the medical necessity
- Insulin users may bring syringes proportional to their insulin supply without a Yakkan Shoumei (up to 2 months)
- Syringes must be declared at customs
Japan's customs rules for syringes are strictly enforced due to concerns about illicit drug use. Even if you have a completely legitimate medical need, carrying syringes without documentation creates problems.
What Happens If You Bring Prohibited Medication
Japan does not treat pharmaceutical customs violations lightly. Depending on the substance involved:
- Prohibited stimulants (including amphetamine-based ADHD medications): Criminal prosecution under the Stimulant Drug Control Law, which carries penalties including imprisonment
- Prohibited narcotics: Criminal prosecution under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act
- Exceeding quantity limits without a Yakkan Shoumei: Confiscation of the excess; possible customs fine; in some cases, denial of entry
There is no "tourist exception." Japan's border authorities apply the law uniformly to foreign visitors.
Finding Medical Care in Japan Without Your Medication
If your medication is confiscated or you run out of supply during a longer-than-expected stay, the best course of action is to see a doctor as quickly as possible. Japan has a well-developed pharmaceutical system, and Japanese doctors can prescribe equivalent medications that are legally available in the country.
Find an English-speaking doctor near you using our hospital finder, which lists clinics and hospitals with foreign language support. For medication-specific questions, consulting a dispensing pharmacy (調剤薬局) staffed by a licensed pharmacist is also helpful — see our Japan pharmacy guide for a full explanation of how the Japanese pharmacy system works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I bring melatonin to Japan?
A: Yes. Melatonin is not classified as a pharmaceutical in Japan and may be imported freely as a supplement.
Q: Can I bring CBD oil to Japan?
A: This is complex. Japan has very strict cannabis-related laws. CBD products derived from hemp that are entirely THC-free are technically in a gray zone, but given enforcement uncertainty and the risk of confiscation or prosecution, most legal advisors recommend leaving CBD products at home. Do not bring cannabis-derived products of any kind.
Q: I take Ritalin for ADHD — can I bring it?
A: Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) is a controlled psychotropic in Japan. It requires both a Yakkan Shoumei and a Narcotics Import Certificate for any supply. Contact the MHLW or the Japanese embassy in your country at least 4–6 weeks before departure to initiate the application process.
Q: My doctor gave me a codeine cough syrup — is that allowed?
A: Low-dose codeine cough products (the kind available OTC in some countries) can generally be brought in within personal-use quantity limits. High-dose codeine products classified as narcotics in Japan require an import certificate. Check the codeine content per dose and consult with the MHLW or your country's Japanese embassy if uncertain.
Q: What if I forget to apply for a Yakkan Shoumei?
A: If you arrive without the required certificate and customs finds the medication, it will typically be confiscated. You will not be able to retrieve it. Some travelers in this situation have had medications held at a customs bonded facility while they contacted the MHLW — this is an option for prescription-level medications (not prohibited substances), but it is not guaranteed and causes significant delays. Always apply in advance.
Q: How do I find out if my specific medication is allowed?
A: The MHLW's Pharmaceutical and Food Safety Bureau answers specific medication inquiries. Contact them at least 4 weeks before travel with the complete generic (INN) name and strength of your medication. The Japanese embassy in your home country can also assist with initial inquiries.
Being properly informed before you travel can spare you serious disruption — or worse. When in doubt, contact the MHLW or the Japanese embassy in your country well before your departure date. And if you need medical care during your trip, find a clinic or hospital near you through our English-language search — many facilities in major cities have experience supporting foreign visitors who need to continue treatment while in Japan.