Atomoxetine in Japan: Import Rules and Strattera

Quick reference

Drug class: Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
Controlled substance: No, atomoxetine is not scheduled under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act
Prescription required: Yes, prescription required in Japan
Available locally: Yes, sold as Strattera in Japan
Storage: Room temperature, 15–30°C, away from moisture and direct light
Max supply to carry: Up to a one-month personal supply without import documentation; longer stays require a Yakkan Shoumei (import certificate) from Japan's MHLW
Key document: Doctor's letter (English and Japanese), translated prescription, Yakkan Shoumei for supplies exceeding one month
Emergency alternative: Visit a psychiatry outpatient clinic (seishin-ka) at a major hospital and present your original prescription and IPS record to request a local prescription

Travelling to Japan with atomoxetine: what changes

Atomoxetine, sold globally as Strattera, is not scheduled under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act^[1], so it does not require a special import permit for stays of up to one month. For longer stays, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) requires a Yakkan Shoumei import certificate. Strattera is available in Japanese pharmacies, but local prescribing rules mean you cannot simply refill your supply at a pharmacy without a Japanese prescription.

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 atomoxetine

For stays of one month or less, you need a doctor's letter and a copy of your prescription; no import permit is required. For stays longer than one month, Japan's MHLW requires a Yakkan Shoumei import certificate^[2] applied for before you travel. The certificate covers the excess quantity beyond the one-month allowance and must list the medication by its INN (atomoxetine) and the exact quantity carried.

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

T-30 days
Book a prescriber appointment to review your supply, update your prescription, and request a doctor's letter on clinic letterhead. If your stay exceeds one month, ask the doctor to confirm the total quantity needed for the Yakkan Shoumei application.Prescriber letter
T-14 days
Apply for a Yakkan Shoumei (Yunyu Kakunin-sho) via Japan's MHLW online portal if your supply exceeds a one-month quantity. Processing typically takes 1-2 weeks. Submit the application form, a copy of your prescription, and the doctor's letter.Yakkan Shoumei
Apply via the MHLW regional office portal. Processing time is approximately 1-2 weeks. The certificate is issued in Japanese; keep the original with your medication.
T-7 days
Have your doctor's letter translated into Japanese by a certified translator or bilingual clinic staff, and have the clinic stamp the translated copy. Retain both the English original and Japanese translation.Translated letter
T-1 day
Print all documents: original prescription, doctor's letter (English and Japanese), and Yakkan Shoumei if applicable. Pack medication in original pharmacy-labelled packaging. Do not transfer tablets to an unlabelled container.
T-0 (border)
Keep your documents accessible in hand luggage. Atomoxetine is not a controlled substance in Japan, so a customs declaration is not mandatory, but presenting your letter proactively if questioned by customs officials avoids delays.

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What your doctor's letter must include

Full patient name, medication name (atomoxetine and Strattera), dose, frequency, quantity carried, the condition being treated (one word is sufficient), doctor's name and registration number, clinic name and letterhead, date of issue, and doctor's signature. For Japan, also include your travel dates and a Japanese translation or certified bilingual version where possible.

Japan does not require notarisation or an apostille for a doctor's letter accompanying personal medication. A Japanese translation is strongly advisable for the Yakkan Shoumei application and for use at pharmacies or hospitals in Japan.

How much atomoxetine to bring

Japan's personal-import allowance for prescription medications is one month's supply without any import documentation^[2]. For stays longer than one month, you must apply for a Yakkan Shoumei covering the additional quantity. Bring a 10–15% buffer above your calculated dose to account for delays, damaged tablets, or itinerary changes. Obtaining a local refill in Japan requires a Japanese prescription from a psychiatrist, which takes time to arrange.

Split your supply

Carry your main supply in hand luggage and a backup dose in checked luggage. If one bag is lost or delayed, you still have medication. Keep both portions in original packaging with pharmacy labels visible.

Packing and storing atomoxetine for travel

Atomoxetine capsules should be stored at room temperature between 15°C and 30°C^[3], away from moisture and direct light. No refrigeration is required during transit, but avoid leaving the medication in a hot car or in direct sunlight, particularly during Japan's humid summer months (June to September) when temperatures regularly exceed 30°C. Keep capsules in the original blister pack or pharmacy bottle to maintain the pharmacy label for customs and medical purposes.

At the airport and border

Airport security with atomoxetine

Atomoxetine capsules are solid-dose oral medication and are not subject to liquid restrictions at airport security. Keep them in your hand luggage in their original labelled container. You do not need to remove medication from your bag at security unless instructed by screening staff. If questioned, present your doctor's letter alongside the original packaging.

Customs and medication import rules for Japan

Atomoxetine is not a controlled substance under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act, so no import declaration is required for a personal supply of up to one month^[2]. For quantities exceeding one month, you must carry a valid Yakkan Shoumei issued by MHLW and present it to customs if asked. Japan Customs may inspect medication at the border; having your doctor's letter and the original packaging available speeds up any inspection significantly.

Keep original packaging at the border

Japan Customs officers verify medication identity against original pharmacy labels. Do not decant capsules into a pill organiser before crossing the border. If your Yakkan Shoumei lists atomoxetine by INN, ensure the pharmacy label also shows 'atomoxetine' alongside 'Strattera' so the two documents match.

While in country

Atomoxetine availability in Japan

Brands of atomoxetine sold in Japan

Brand name	Indication	Formulation	Supply note
Strattera	ADHD (adult and paediatric)	Hard capsule (5 mg, 10 mg, 25 mg, 40 mg)	Available at hospital-affiliated pharmacies; community pharmacy supply can be variable

Strattera is approved and listed on Japan's National Health Insurance (NHI) drug tariff^[4]. Without NHI coverage, the out-of-pocket cost for a 30-day supply of Strattera 40 mg is approximately ¥8,000–¥15,000 (~$54–$101 / ~€49–€92) depending on dose and pharmacy. A Japanese psychiatrist's prescription is required to dispense it; community pharmacies cannot issue the medication without one.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe atomoxetine in Japan

Atomoxetine can only be prescribed in Japan by a psychiatrist (seishin-ka) or a physician specifically trained in ADHD diagnosis. Major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto have English-speaking psychiatrists at international clinics; a directory of English-capable clinics is maintained by the AMDA International Medical Information Centre^[5].

An initial outpatient consultation at a private clinic typically costs ¥5,000–¥15,000 (~$34–$101 / ~€31–€92). Telemedicine platforms registered in Japan cannot prescribe controlled or restricted medications to foreign visitors; an in-person consultation is the most reliable route.

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Storing atomoxetine while in Japan

The approved storage range for atomoxetine capsules is 15°C to 30°C with protection from humidity and direct light^[3]. Japan's summer (June to September) brings high humidity and temperatures regularly above 30°C in Tokyo and other cities; store capsules in an air-conditioned room rather than in a bag left in unventilated spaces. Hotel rooms with air conditioning provide adequate conditions; if staying in accommodation without climate control, keep medication in the coolest, darkest part of the room.

Emergencies

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

If your medication is lost or stolen, file a report with the local police (dial 110 for police in Japan) and obtain a copy of the report. Contact your travel insurer immediately, as most policies require a police report within 24 hours to process a replacement medication claim.

If you run out unexpectedly, a prescription transfer from your home prescriber to a Japanese psychiatrist is not a recognised pathway in Japan. You will need to attend a seishin-ka outpatient clinic, present your original prescription and doctor's letter, and request a new local prescription. University hospitals in Tokyo (such as the University of Tokyo Hospital) and Osaka (Osaka University Hospital) have psychiatry departments accustomed to managing international patients.

“アトモキセチン（ストラテラ）が必要です。 / 私はADHDです。 / 医者を呼んでください。 / 一番近い薬局はどこですか？”

I need atomoxetine (Strattera). / I have ADHD. / Please call a doctor. / Where is the nearest pharmacy?

Japan's emergency number for ambulance and fire is 119; for police call 110. For non-emergency medical enquiries in English, the Japan Tourism Agency's Japan Visitor Hotline is available 24 hours at +81-50-3816-2787.

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Frequently asked questions

Is atomoxetine legal in Japan?

Yes, atomoxetine is legal in Japan and is available on prescription under the brand name Strattera. Travellers may bring in up to a one-month personal supply without import documentation, but longer stays require a Yakkan Shoumei (import certificate) from Japan's MHLW, alongside a doctor's letter and translated prescription.

Is atomoxetine a controlled substance in Japan?

No. Atomoxetine is not scheduled under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act^[1]. Unlike methylphenidate, which is classified as a psychotropic in Japan, atomoxetine has no controlled status and does not require a special import permit for personal quantities up to one month.

Do I need a Yakkan Shoumei to bring atomoxetine into Japan?

A Yakkan Shoumei is only required if your supply exceeds a one-month quantity. Atomoxetine is not a controlled substance in Japan, so the standard personal-import allowance applies without a permit for trips up to one month. Carry a doctor's letter and original prescription regardless of trip length.

Can I bring atomoxetine into Japan for a trip longer than one month?

Yes. For stays up to one month, no import permit is required beyond a doctor's letter. For stays exceeding one month, you must apply for a Yakkan Shoumei from Japan's MHLW^[2] before you travel, listing the excess quantity. Processing takes approximately 1-2 weeks.

Is Strattera available at pharmacies in Japan?

Strattera (atomoxetine) is approved and listed on Japan's National Health Insurance tariff, but it is dispensed only with a Japanese psychiatrist's prescription. Community pharmacies can fill the prescription once issued, though availability is most reliable at hospital-affiliated pharmacies in major cities.

What should I do if I run out of atomoxetine while in Japan?

Attend a psychiatry outpatient clinic (seishin-ka) at a major hospital, bringing your original prescription, doctor's letter, and any medical records you carry. The psychiatrist can issue a Japanese prescription for Strattera, which a hospital-affiliated pharmacy can then dispense.

Is Strattera the same as atomoxetine sold under other brand names abroad?

Yes. Strattera is the brand name used in Japan, the US, Australia, and most European markets. The active ingredient in all cases is atomoxetine, its INN. If your prescription uses the brand name Strattera, Japanese customs and pharmacists will recognise it; if it uses only the INN, that is equally valid.

Atomoxetine in Japan: Strattera, Import Rules and Availability