{
  "id": "medical/banned-stimulants-yakkan-shoumei",
  "signature": "AI tells a traveler they can bring their usual prescription or OTC medication into Japan",
  "signature_zh": "",
  "regex": "(japan.*medication|japan.*prescription|bring.*medicine.*japan|yakkan.shoumei|japan.*adderall|japan.*pseudoephedrine)",
  "domain": "medical",
  "category": "legal_restriction",
  "subcategory": null,
  "root_cause": "Japan bans or restricts many medications legal elsewhere. Stimulants such as Adderall and Vyvanse (amphetamines) are strictly prohibited even with a prescription, and some cold/allergy medicines with pseudoephedrine or codeine are restricted. Bringing more than about one month's supply, or any controlled item, without a Yakkan Shoumei import certificate can lead to seizure or detention.",
  "root_cause_type": "generic",
  "root_cause_zh": "",
  "versions": [
    {
      "version": "any",
      "introduced": null,
      "deprecated": null,
      "removed": null,
      "behavior_change": null,
      "status": "active"
    }
  ],
  "os_specific": {},
  "dead_ends": [
    {
      "action": "Pack your usual ADHD or strong cold medication for Japan assuming a prescription makes it legal",
      "why_fails": "Amphetamine-based stimulants (Adderall, Vyvanse) are prohibited imports regardless of a foreign prescription; travelers have been detained for bringing them. Pseudoephedrine above the limit is also restricted.",
      "fail_rate": 0.8,
      "condition": "",
      "sources": [
        "https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/",
        "https://jp.usembassy.gov/services/importing-medication/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "action": "Bring more than one month's supply of prescription medicine without a Yakkan Shoumei",
      "why_fails": "Importing over roughly one month's supply, or controlled/injectable items beyond limits, requires a Yakkan Shoumei certificate obtained in advance; without it customs can confiscate or detain.",
      "fail_rate": 0.6,
      "condition": "Over ~1 month supply or controlled item",
      "sources": []
    }
  ],
  "workarounds": [
    {
      "action": "Check the prohibited/controlled list and apply for a Yakkan Shoumei import certificate before travel for larger or controlled supplies.",
      "success_rate": 0.85,
      "how": "Confirm your medication on the MHLW list; for prohibited drugs ask your doctor about a legal alternative; for large/controlled supplies apply for a Yakkan Shoumei by email well before departure and carry the approval.",
      "condition": "",
      "sources": [
        "https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/",
        "https://jp.usembassy.gov/services/importing-medication/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "action": "Carry medication in original labeled packaging with a copy of the prescription and a doctor's letter.",
      "success_rate": 0.8,
      "how": "Keep everything labeled and documented to clear customs smoothly.",
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    }
  ],
  "workarounds_zh": [],
  "transition_graph": {
    "leads_to": [],
    "preceded_by": [],
    "frequently_confused_with": []
  },
  "official_doc_url": null,
  "official_doc_section": null,
  "error_code": null,
  "verification_tier": "ai_generated",
  "confidence": 0.82,
  "fix_success_rate": 0.85,
  "resolvable": "true",
  "first_seen": "2024-01-01",
  "last_confirmed": "2026-06-14",
  "last_updated": "2026-06-14",
  "evidence_count": 3,
  "tags": [],
  "locale": "en",
  "aliases": [
    "medical/banned-stimulants-yakkan-shoumei/jp"
  ]
}