Dexamfetamine in Japan: Stimulants Act & Import Ban

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Yes, prohibited under Japan's Stimulants Control Act (kakuseizai torishimari-ho)
Prescription required: Not applicable, the drug cannot be legally imported or dispensed in Japan
Available locally: No, dexamfetamine and dextroamphetamine are not registered or available in Japan
Storage: Room temperature, below 25°C, away from moisture and direct light
Max supply to carry: Zero, personal import is prohibited regardless of quantity or documentation
Key document: Do not attempt to bring dexamfetamine into Japan; arrange a licensed alternative before departure
Emergency alternative: Contact your prescriber before travel to switch to a methylphenidate-based alternative permissible under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act with a Yunyu Kakunin-sho certificate.

Dexamfetamine in Japan: what travellers must know before they fly

Dexamfetamine, sold globally as Dexedrine and Zenzedi in North America, Amfexa in Great Britain and Ireland, and Attentin in Germany, is prohibited in Japan under the Stimulants Control Act. The active ingredient, dextroamphetamine (the US/Canadian generic name), is classified as a kakuseizai (stimulant drug) and cannot be imported into Japan under any circumstances, even with a valid foreign prescription or doctor's letter. You must arrange an alternative medication before you travel.^[1]

This guide explains the legal status of dexamfetamine in Japan, what documentation and alternative medications are available, and what to do if something goes wrong during your trip.

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 dexamfetamine

Because dexamfetamine (dextroamphetamine) falls under Japan's Stimulants Control Act as a prohibited kakuseizai, no import permit or doctor's letter authorises entry with this drug. The critical pre-travel task is switching to a permissible alternative, not preparing import paperwork. Methylphenidate is the primary alternative available in Japan and can be imported with a Yunyu Kakunin-sho (advance import certificate) for visits up to 90 days.^[1] See our travel guide for methylphenidate in Japan for more information about bringing these alternatives.

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

T-30 days
Book an appointment with your prescriber to discuss switching from dexamfetamine to a Japan-permissible alternative such as methylphenidate. Allow time for dose titration before departure.Prescriber consultation
T-14 days
If switching to methylphenidate, apply to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for a Yunyu Kakunin-sho (advance import certificate) for quantities exceeding a 30-day supply, or obtain a doctor's letter for quantities up to 30 days.Yunyu Kakunin-sho
Applications submitted to the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate; processing typically takes 2 weeks. Required for quantities above a one-month personal supply.
T-7 days
Have your doctor's letter translated into Japanese. Confirm the letter includes your full name, medication INN and brand, daily dose, quantity carried, condition name, and the prescriber's registration number on clinic letterhead.Translated doctor's letter
T-1 day
Print all documents, do not rely solely on digital copies at Japanese customs. Pack the alternative medication in original pharmacy-labelled packaging and keep documents accessible without unpacking your bag.
T-0 (border)
Declare the alternative controlled medication proactively at customs. Present your Yunyu Kakunin-sho (if applicable) and doctor's letter together. Do not attempt to bring dexamfetamine across the border under any circumstances.

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What your doctor's letter must include

Full name, medication INN and brand name, dose and frequency, total quantity carried, condition name, doctor's signature and registration number, clinic letterhead. For Japan, a Japanese translation is strongly recommended. Notarisation is not required, but the letter must be on official letterhead.

A Japanese translation of your doctor's letter is strongly recommended, though not legally mandated. Notarisation is not required by Japanese customs for personal medication imports.

How much dexamfetamine to bring

The answer is zero. Attempting to do so risks confiscation, arrest, and criminal prosecution under the Stimulants Control Act, which carries penalties of up to 10 years' imprisonment for import violations. Plan your entire Japan trip on an alternative medication.^[1]

Plan your alternative supply carefully

If switching to methylphenidate, bring your full trip supply plus a 20% buffer. Carry your main supply in hand luggage and a backup portion in checked luggage, both in original pharmacy-labelled packaging, in case one bag is delayed or lost.

Packing and storing dexamfetamine for travel

Do not pack dexamfetamine for Japan travel. If you have switched to an alternative such as methylphenidate, store tablets at room temperature (15-25°C), away from humidity, and in their original blister-packed packaging with the pharmacy label intact. Japan's summer months (June to September) bring high humidity and temperatures exceeding 35°C in Tokyo, so avoid leaving medication in a parked car or direct sunlight.

At the airport and border

Airport security with dexamfetamine

Do not carry dexamfetamine through Japanese airport security. Security screening at Japanese airports is conducted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and customs officers are alert to controlled substances. If you are travelling with a permissible alternative such as methylphenidate, keep it in your carry-on in original packaging, and carry your documentation in the same bag.

Customs and medication import rules for Japan

Japan Customs requires travellers to declare any medication that falls under Japan's narcotics, psychotropics, or stimulant drug laws. Dexamfetamine is classified as a stimulant drug (kakuseizai) under Japan's Stimulants Control Act, prohibiting its import entirely. There is no permit, exemption, or diplomatic workaround that authorises personal import of this substance. If an alternative controlled medication such as methylphenidate is in your luggage, you must declare it and present the Yunyu Kakunin-sho or doctor's letter at the customs desk.^[2]

Absolute import prohibition

Dexamfetamine (dextroamphetamine) is a prohibited stimulant drug (kakuseizai) under Japan's Stimulants Control Act. Import in any quantity, for any purpose, is a criminal offence. Penalties include up to 10 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to 3 million yen (~$19,500 / ~€18,000). Japanese customs authorities have the right to search, detain, and prosecute without diplomatic immunity applying to personal medication claims.

While in country

Dexamfetamine availability in Japan

Brands of dexamfetamine sold in Japan

Brand name	Indication	Formulation	Supply note
None registered	Not applicable	Not available	Dexamfetamine and dextroamphetamine are not registered for medical use in Japan and cannot be dispensed by any pharmacy or hospital

Dexamfetamine and its international equivalents Dexedrine, Amfexa, Zenzedi, and Attentin are not registered with Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) and are not available in any Japanese pharmacy or hospital. No local prescription can be written for this drug because it is a prohibited stimulant. The closest available alternative is methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin), which is a psychotropic under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act and requires a specialist prescription.^[3]

Finding a doctor who can prescribe dexamfetamine in Japan

No doctor in Japan can prescribe dexamfetamine, as it is a prohibited substance. If you require an alternative stimulant medication while in Japan, you will need a psychiatrist registered to prescribe psychotropics under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act.

For a detailed breakdown of ADHD medication access in Japan, see the Japan ADHD travel guide. English-speaking psychiatrists are available at international clinics in Tokyo and Osaka; a private consultation typically costs ¥5,000-¥15,000 (~$33-$98 / ~€30-€90).^[4]

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Storing your alternative medication while in Japan

If you have switched to methylphenidate for your Japan trip, store tablets at room temperature, ideally between 15°C and 30°C. Japan's summer humidity regularly exceeds 80% in cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, which can affect tablet integrity if packaging is broken. According to standard pharmaceutical storage guidelines for methylphenidate, keep tablets in their original sealed blister packs until use, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Hotel rooms in Japan have reliable air conditioning; use it.^[5]

Emergencies

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

If your alternative medication (for example, methylphenidate) is lost or stolen in Japan, file a report with the local police (koban) immediately and obtain a written report number. Contact your travel insurer as soon as possible, as lost controlled medications often require a police report for any claim.

If your supply of an alternative controlled substance runs out while in Japan, contact a psychiatry department at a major hospital such as Tokyo Medical University Hospital or Osaka University Hospital. Obtaining a new prescription for a psychotropic in Japan as a foreign visitor is complex and time-consuming; plan your supply to cover the full trip plus a buffer.

Key phrases in Japanese

I need a psychiatrist: Seishinka no sensei ga hitsuyou desu (精神科の先生が必要です). I take methylphenidate: Watashi wa mechirufenindate wo nonde imasu (私はメチルフェニデートを飲んでいます). Please call a doctor: Isha wo yonde kudasai (医者を呼んでください). Where is the nearest pharmacy: Ichiban chikai yakkyoku wa doko desu ka (一番近い薬局はどこですか).

Japan's general emergency number is 119 for ambulance and fire services; 110 for police. For non-emergency medical advice in English, the Japan Health Info line is available at 03-5285-8181.

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Frequently asked questions

Is dexamfetamine legal in Japan?

No, dexamfetamine is banned in Japan under the Stimulants Control Act and may not be brought into the country under any circumstances, even with a valid prescription or supporting documentation. Travellers who require this medication must arrange a licensed alternative before departure, as dexamfetamine is not registered or available in Japan.

Can I bring dexamfetamine into Japan?

No. Dexamfetamine (dextroamphetamine) is prohibited under Japan's Stimulants Control Act as a kakuseizai. There is no import permit, exemption, or quantity allowance for this drug. Attempting to bring it into Japan (including brands such as Dexedrine or Amfexa) is a criminal offence regardless of your home country prescription.^[1]

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

Methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) is the primary permissible stimulant alternative in Japan, classified as a psychotropic under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act. You may bring up to a 30-day personal supply with a doctor's letter, or apply to MHLW for a Yunyu Kakunin-sho (advance import certificate) for longer stays. Arrange the switch with your prescriber at least 30 days before departure.^[6]

Do I need a Yakkan Shoumei to bring an alternative ADHD medication into Japan?

The Yunyu Kakunin-sho (sometimes written as Yakkan Shoumei) is required for methylphenidate imports exceeding a one-month personal supply. For trips of 30 days or fewer, a doctor's letter with a Japanese translation is generally sufficient. Apply through the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate at least two weeks before travel.^[7]

What happens if Japanese customs finds dexamfetamine in my luggage?

Customs officers will confiscate the medication and you may be detained, prosecuted, and face a sentence of up to 10 years' imprisonment under the Stimulants Control Act. A foreign prescription provides no legal protection. Do not attempt to bring dexamfetamine, Dexedrine, Amfexa, Zenzedi, Attentin, or any dextroamphetamine product into Japan.

Can I get a dexamfetamine prescription from a Japanese doctor?

No. Japanese doctors cannot prescribe dexamfetamine or dextroamphetamine because the substance is prohibited for medical use in Japan. If you need a stimulant medication while in Japan, a psychiatrist at a major hospital can assess whether methylphenidate is appropriate and prescribe it under the relevant controlled framework.

Is Dexedrine or Amfexa available in Japan pharmacies?

Neither Dexedrine (the North American brand), Amfexa (the British and Irish brand), nor any generic dextroamphetamine product is registered with Japan's PMDA or available in any Japanese pharmacy. The drug class is prohibited entirely in Japan.

Dexamfetamine in Japan: Stimulants Control Act and Import Rules