Medications for ADHD are either strictly controlled and may only be brought to Japan with an import certificate, or they are completely banned under all circumstances. Travelers face severe sanctions for failing to follow the rules, so do not travel to Japan with your medications without ensuring that it is permitted.
Medications and cosmetics typically contain certain substances or active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare describes two categories of medicines based on the active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Drugs and Quasi Drugs
Drugs and quasi drugs include most medications or cosmetics that travelers might bring. ADHD medications do not fall in this category. Generally speaking, if you are bringing less than 30 days of a prescription medication or less than 24 pieces of a cosmetic or medication for external use, you bring the items in their original containers with copies of the prescriptions, the customs officers count them to confirm the amounts, and you enter Japan.
If you plan to take a supply of more than 30 days of a prescription drug or quasi drug or more than 24 items of a cosmetic or medication for external use, then you should plan on requesting a permit, called a “Yunyu Kakunin-sho” from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, following the process at their webpage linked above.
Narcotics and Psychotropics
Medications containing certain active pharmaceutical ingredients are classified as Narcotics or Psychotropics and are either strictly controlled or completely banned. ADHD medications fall in this category. The Japanese Narcotics Control Department describes the process for understanding if a medication is considered a narcotic or psychotropic and for obtaining an import certificate to bring it for personal use if it is not banned.
Identify if Your Medication is Controlled
The Narcotics Control Department includes a list of substances which will cause a medication to fall into the “narcotics and psychotropics” category. It is unlikely that you will see the actual name of the medication that you take on that list. You will have to check the ingredients on your medication to confirm. For example, Methylphenidate, the active ingredient in Concerta, is a controlled substance and a special certificate must be obtained from the Narcotics Control Department to bring it.
The Narcotics Control Department recommends that you consult with your doctor if you are not sure if a medicine contains a controlled substance.
Completely Banned
Medications containing the following substances are banned under all circumstances:
- Heroin
- Opium powder
- Methamphetamine and Amphetamine (the last of which is the active pharmaceutical ingredient of Adderall)
- Methaqualone
- Cannabis
Procedure for Getting Permission to Bring a Controlled Substance
Check the Narcotics Control Department for updated information on the steps to take to get the import certificate. You will also need an export certificate if you think you will exit the country with leftover medication. You should plan on it taking at least 2 weeks to get the certificate from when you submit the request to when they get back to you. You have the option of submitting the application over email.
If you are in doubt of whether or not you can bring a certain quantity of a certain medication to Japan for a certain period of time, you can email the ministry of health and inquire with them directly. The U.S. Embassy to Japan gives the email that you can write to. Contact your nearest Japanese consulate if you are not in the process of trying to get permission to bring a particular medication or if you need to find a more up-to-date email address. You can find the information for your nearest consulate at the list of Japanese consulates offered by the Japanese embassy, and available in the related links section.
Once you have applied to bring a medication, and the Japanese authorities have responded by approving it, you should be able to proceed with confidence. Be sure to carry your medications in the original bottles, and also include copies of all of the documents discussed in a large Ziploc bag or folder.
Pro tip: the email addresses and phone numbers of the international airports in Japan can help clarify your questions, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
What if I cannot bring my medication?
If you cannot bring your medication to Japan under any circumstances, you have a couple options.
You can ask your doctor about an alternative medication regimen. As of 2024, people with ADHD have the option of Concerta, Strattera or Vyvanse as alternatives to Adderall. The selection of medications for managing pain is increasing for patients in Japan. If your insurance will cover it, make sure that you give yourself time before departure to change to the permitted medication to ensure the new medication is right for you. Adjusting to a new culture and new medications at the same time could compound your stress.
Notify your doctor as soon as you think that you might be going abroad, in case they recommend taking extra time before departure to adjust to a new treatment. You still have to apply for permission to bring medications like Concerta or Vyvanse with you as they contain controlled substances.
The host country office can work with you to identify a Japanese practitioner to prescribe the medications after you arrive if you will be spending more time in Japan.
If you cannot make the switch before departure, make sure to schedule the initial appointment as soon as possible after your arrival, to minimize any pauses in the medication regimen.
If all else fails, you may simply be able to do without it for the duration of your program. Travelers participating on short-term exchanges sometimes find this to be the most expedient solution. Check with your doctor if this would be an option for you.
How much will it cost
Treatment to manage ADHD can vary in price, but it is not unreasonable to expect coverage from the Japanese healthcare system. You might have to cover 30% to 40% of the cost of your treatment.
“I’ve had an easy time finding clinics and people to help, and I feel that I’m given quality treatment with psychiatrists that ask plenty of questions and that really care about how I’m doing.”
– Missy MacDonald, US student with ADHD finishing her four-year degree at Tokyo international University
