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Medications — Japan
What travelers need to know about medications in Japan. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Short answer
Driving in the U.S. too?The free LawLert iPhone app alerts you when you cross into a U.S. state where a law you track differs. It doesn't cover other countries yet.Get the free appMedications in Japan: prohibited — what is legal at home can be a serious crime here.
PROHIBITED
Adderall and other amphetamine stimulants cannot be brought into Japan — even with a prescription. Risk of arrest.
Arrest and detention by Japanese authorities.
§ U.S. Embassy JapanVerified Jul 15, 2026
PROHIBITED
Common cold and allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Actifed, Vicks inhalers) or codeine are banned in Japan — a US prescription does not make them legal.
Arrest and detention by Japanese authorities.
§ U.S. Embassy JapanVerified Jul 15, 2026
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LawLert is an independent app and is not affiliated with any government. It summarizes laws from official government and U.S. State Department sources for general information only. This is not legal advice, and laws change. Always confirm with official sources and local authorities before you travel.