Amphetamine in Japan: Stimulants Ban & Alternatives

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Yes, classified as a stimulant drug (kakuseizai) under Japan's Stimulants Control Act (Kakuseizai Torishimari Ho). No medical exemption exists for import.
Prescription required: Not applicable, amphetamine and dextroamphetamine cannot be imported into Japan under any circumstances, including with a foreign prescription.
Available locally: No, amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are not approved for medical use in Japan. No local brand equivalent exists.
Storage: Room temperature, below 30°C, away from direct light. Keep in original packaging.
Max supply to carry: Zero, no quantity is permitted. Possession is a criminal offence regardless of the amount.
Key document: None will permit entry, amphetamines are banned outright. Consult your prescriber before travel and arrange an alternative medication.
Emergency alternative: Contact your home prescriber before departure to discuss a switch to methylphenidate or atomoxetine, both of which can be imported with documentation.

Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine in Japan: a complete ban with no exceptions

Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, sold outside Japan as Adderall, Adderall XR, and Mydayis, are prohibited under Japan's Stimulants Control Act^[1] with no provision for personal medical use or import permits. No quantity is legal to carry into Japan, regardless of your prescription, documentation, or country of origin.

This guide explains the legal position in detail, covers alternative ADHD medications that can be brought into Japan with proper paperwork, and sets out what to do if you are already in Japan and need support.

Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your prescribing doctor before travelling with medication, particularly regarding supply quantities, storage requirements, and import documentation.

Before you travel

Documentation for travelling to Japan with amphetamine / dextroamphetamine

No documentation exists that permits you to bring amphetamine or dextroamphetamine into Japan. The Stimulants Control Act classifies these substances as kakuseizai, banned without exception for import^[1]. The only responsible pre-travel action is to speak with your prescriber about switching to a medication that can legally enter Japan. See our other medication guides, like the methylphenidate in Japan guide, for the paperwork needed for such alternatives.

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

T-30 days
Book an appointment with your prescriber to discuss Japan's outright ban on amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Request a review of alternative ADHD medications (methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or atomoxetine (Strattera)) that are permitted in Japan with documentation.Prescriber appointment
T-14 days
If switching to methylphenidate, apply for a Yunyu Kakunin-sho (import confirmation certificate) from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). This document is required for quantities exceeding a two-month supply of psychotropics. Allow at least 14 days for processing.Yunyu Kakunin-sho
Apply via the MHLW online portal or through the nearest Japanese embassy. Processing typically takes 1-2 weeks.
T-7 days
Obtain a doctor's letter in English detailing your name, the medication's INN and brand name, dose, frequency, quantity carried, your diagnosis, and the prescriber's signature and registration number. Have it translated into Japanese if possible.Doctor's letter (translated)
T-1 day
Print all documents. Pack your alternative medication in its original pharmacy-labelled packaging. Do not carry any amphetamine or dextroamphetamine, confirm no residual tablets remain in any bag.
T-0 (border)
Declare your alternative medication proactively at customs. Present your Yunyu Kakunin-sho and doctor's letter together if carrying methylphenidate. Keep documents accessible without needing to unpack your luggage.

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What your doctor's letter must include (for alternative medications)

Full name, medication name (INN and brand), dose and frequency, quantity carried, condition name, doctor's signature and registration number, clinic letterhead. For methylphenidate entering Japan, a Japanese translation is strongly advised. No letter is valid for amphetamine or dextroamphetamine regardless of content.

No notarisation or apostille is required for a doctor's letter supporting a permitted medication. A Japanese translation is not legally mandatory but significantly reduces delays at customs.

How much amphetamine / dextroamphetamine to bring

The answer is zero. Bringing any quantity of amphetamine or dextroamphetamine into Japan^[2] is a criminal offence under the Stimulants Control Act, regardless of whether you have a valid foreign prescription. Conviction can result in up to ten years imprisonment. There is no de minimis exemption for personal medical use.

If you are switching to a permitted alternative for your trip, bring a full supply for the duration of your stay plus a five-day buffer. Split the supply between hand luggage and checked baggage to guard against loss.

Split your alternative medication supply

Carry your main supply of any permitted alternative medication in hand luggage and a backup in checked baggage. Keep both portions in original pharmacy-labelled packaging. If one bag is delayed or lost, you retain access to your medication.

Packing and storing amphetamine / dextroamphetamine for travel

Do not pack amphetamine or dextroamphetamine in any bag travelling to Japan. If you are carrying a permitted alternative such as methylphenidate, store it in its original packaging with the pharmacy label visible. Tablets are stable at room temperature below 30°C and do not require refrigeration or special handling during transit.

At the airport and border

Airport security with amphetamine / dextroamphetamine

Airport security at your departure airport is separate from Japanese customs rules. Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine tablets are solid medications and are not subject to liquid restrictions at security. However, the critical issue is not the security lane, it is the Japanese customs hall at your destination airport.

If you are carrying a permitted alternative medication such as methylphenidate, keep it in carry-on luggage in its original packaging. Have your doctor's letter and Yunyu Kakunin-sho readily accessible without needing to search through your bag.

Customs and medication import rules for Japan

Japan Customs and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare jointly enforce medication import rules. Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are listed as prohibited items with no exemption pathway. Declaring the medication at customs does not protect you from seizure and prosecution, declaration is not a route to legal entry.

If customs officers find amphetamine or dextroamphetamine during inspection, the substance will be seized and you may be detained, charged, and prosecuted. Do not attempt to enter Japan with any quantity of these substances.

Amphetamine is a prohibited substance in Japan with no import exemption

Under Japan's Stimulants Control Act (Kakuseizai Torishimari Ho), amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are classified as kakuseizai. Importing them is a criminal offence carrying a sentence of up to ten years imprisonment. No medical exemption, import permit, or traveller's concession applies. This prohibition covers Adderall, Adderall XR, and Mydayis in all formulations and quantities.

While in country

Amphetamine / dextroamphetamine availability in Japan

Brands of amphetamine / dextroamphetamine sold in Japan

Brand name	Indication	Formulation	Supply note
No brand available	Not approved for any indication	Not applicable	Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are not registered with the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) and cannot be prescribed or dispensed in Japan.

Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are not approved for medical use by the PMDA^[3] and are not stocked in any Japanese pharmacy. No local equivalent brand exists. If you need ADHD support while in Japan, see the full ADHD in Japan travel guide for available alternatives.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe amphetamine / dextroamphetamine in Japan

No doctor in Japan can prescribe amphetamine or dextroamphetamine. The Stimulants Control Act prohibits prescribing these substances for any medical purpose. A psychiatrist can prescribe methylphenidate (sold as Concerta or Ritalin in Japan) or atomoxetine (Strattera) if you present your existing medical history and a letter from your home prescriber. Private psychiatric consultations in Tokyo cost approximately ¥5,000 to ¥15,000 (~$33 to $100 / ~€30 to €90), depending on the clinic.^[4]

English-speaking psychiatrists are available at international clinics in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, though availability outside major cities is limited. Telemedicine services based outside Japan cannot legally prescribe controlled medications for use in Japan.

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Storing amphetamine / dextroamphetamine while in Japan

You should not be in possession of amphetamine or dextroamphetamine anywhere in Japan. If you have switched to methylphenidate or another permitted alternative, store tablets at room temperature below 30°C and away from direct sunlight. Japan's summer humidity is high, particularly from June to September, so keep tablets sealed in their original blister packaging or container rather than loose in a pill organiser.

Emergencies

What to do if something goes wrong with your medication in Japan

If you are arrested or detained at customs for carrying amphetamine or dextroamphetamine, do not resist or argue. Request consular assistance from your country's embassy immediately. Do not make statements without legal representation.

If you are already in Japan and need ADHD medication support, visit a private psychiatric clinic and present your home prescription and medical history. A Japanese psychiatrist may prescribe methylphenidate or atomoxetine under Japanese law. These are controlled substances under Japanese law and require a local prescription to obtain.

“私はADHDの薬を必要としています。精神科の先生に診ていただけますか？ / 一番近い薬局はどこですか？ / 医者を呼んでください。”

I need ADHD medication. Can I see a psychiatrist? / Where is the nearest pharmacy? / Please call a doctor.

Japan's emergency number is 110 for police and 119 for ambulance and fire. The Japan Helpline operates 24 hours on 0570-000-911^[5] and can assist English-speaking callers with medical and legal referrals.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I bring Adderall into Japan?

No. Adderall is banned under Japan's Stimulants Control Act^[1] and no import exemption exists, even with a valid foreign prescription. Carrying any quantity into Japan is a criminal offence.

What ADHD medication can I bring to Japan instead of Adderall?

Methylphenidate and atomoxetine are both approved in Japan and can be imported with a doctor's letter. Quantities over a two-month supply require a Yunyu Kakunin-sho from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Speak with your prescriber at least 30 days before departure to arrange the switch.

What happens if customs finds Adderall in my luggage at a Japanese airport?

The medication will be seized and you risk arrest, detention, and prosecution. Conviction carries a penalty of up to ten years imprisonment^[2]. Declaring the substance does not grant entry or reduce criminal liability.

Is amphetamine available at Japanese pharmacies?

Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are not approved for medical use in Japan and are not stocked in any pharmacy. No prescription from a Japanese doctor can legally authorise them.

Can I get a Japanese doctor to prescribe Adderall XR while travelling?

No Japanese doctor can prescribe Adderall XR or any amphetamine-based medication. Amphetamines are prohibited from medical prescribing under Japanese law. A psychiatrist can prescribe methylphenidate or atomoxetine as alternatives.

Is Mydayis allowed in Japan?

Mydayis contains mixed amphetamine salts, the same active substance as Adderall and Adderall XR, and is subject to the same total prohibition under Japan's Stimulants Control Act. It cannot be brought into Japan under any circumstances.

Related practical guide

10 Things You Must Do Before Travelling Abroad with ADHD Medication

ADHD stimulants are banned outright in some countries and tightly controlled in many others. Here is the practical checklist every traveller needs before setting off.

Read the practical guide →

Sources

More guides in Japan

Amphetamine / Dextroamphetamine in other countries

Medication🇹🇭 Thailand

Country guide

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Amphetamine / Dextroamphetamine in Japan: Ban, Legal Risk and ADHD Plan