Diazepam in Japan: Import Rules, Valium & Permits

Quick reference

Drug class: Benzodiazepine
Controlled substance: Yes, controlled psychotropic under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act
Prescription required: Yes
Available locally: Yes, sold as Valium at hospital-affiliated pharmacies with a Japanese prescription
Storage: Room temperature (below 25°C), protect from light and moisture
Max supply to carry: Up to 30 days without a Yakkan Shoumei; amounts exceeding this threshold require prior import certification from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)
Key document: Doctor's letter stating full name, medication name (diazepam / Valium), dose, quantity, and diagnosis; Yakkan Shoumei import certificate if carrying more than a 30-day supply
Emergency alternative: Contact a Japanese hospital psychiatry or neurology department and present your home prescription documentation; they can assess whether a short local prescription is clinically appropriate

Travelling to Japan with diazepam: what you need to know

Diazepam, sold globally as Valium, Diastat, Valpam, and Stesolid, is a controlled psychotropic under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act. You can bring it into Japan legally, but the quantity you carry and the paperwork you hold determine whether customs clears you without difficulty.^[1] Carrying more than a 30-day supply without the correct import certificate is the most common error travellers make.

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 diazepam

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) requires travellers to carry a doctor's letter for all psychotropic medications. If your trip exceeds 30 days or you are carrying more than a 30-day supply, you must obtain a Yakkan Shoumei import certificate from the MHLW before departing.^[2] The Yakkan Shoumei application must be submitted to the regional MHLW office in advance, and processing typically takes two to four weeks.

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

T-30 days
Book an appointment with your prescribing doctor to obtain a letter confirming your name, medication name (diazepam and Valium), dose, frequency, quantity to be carried, and your diagnosis. Request the letter on clinic letterhead with the doctor's registration number.Prescriber letter
T-28 days
If carrying more than a 30-day supply, apply for a Yakkan Shoumei import certificate from the relevant MHLW regional office. Submit the application online or by post, attaching a copy of your doctor's letter and your itinerary. Allow two to four weeks for processing.Yakkan Shoumei (薬監証明)
Processing time: two to four weeks. Applications submitted to MHLW regional bureaux. Download the form from the MHLW website.
T-7 days
Have your doctor's letter translated into Japanese by a certified translator or have the clinic prepare a Japanese-language version. Carry both the original and the translation. No notarisation or apostille is required.Translated letter
T-1 day
Print all documents: doctor's letter, Japanese translation, and Yakkan Shoumei if applicable. Pack medication in original pharmacy-labelled packaging. Do not consolidate tablets into unmarked containers.
T-0 (border)
Declare your psychotropic medication proactively on the customs declaration form. Present your Yakkan Shoumei and doctor's letter together if requested by customs officers at the point of entry.

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What your doctor's letter must include

Full legal name, medication name in both INN (diazepam) and brand (Valium), dose and frequency, total quantity carried, your diagnosis (one word or short phrase is sufficient), doctor's signature and professional registration number, and clinic letterhead with address and contact details. A Japanese-language version alongside the original strengthens your position at customs.

Your doctor's letter does not need to be notarised or apostilled for Japan. A translated version in Japanese is not legally mandatory, but carrying one alongside the original can significantly speed up customs inspection.

How much diazepam to bring

Japan permits travellers to bring up to a 30-day personal supply of psychotropic medications without a Yakkan Shoumei. For stays longer than 30 days, or if you carry a buffer supply exceeding 30 days, you must obtain the Yakkan Shoumei before departure. Bring a minimum 10% buffer above your calculated dose to account for delays, lost tablets, or dose adjustments. Do not rely on obtaining a local prescription in Japan as a substitute for pre-travel planning, as local prescribing for foreign visitors is not guaranteed.

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 diazepam for travel

Diazepam tablets should be stored below 25°C, away from direct light and moisture.^[3] Keep tablets in their original blister pack or pharmacy bottle with the label attached throughout your journey. Tokyo's summer humidity is high, so avoid leaving medication in a car or in a bag exposed to direct sun. A small insulated pouch is adequate for transit; no refrigeration is required.

At the airport and border

Airport security with diazepam

Diazepam tablets are solid and do not trigger liquid restriction rules at airport security. Keep the medication in your carry-on bag and in its original labelled packaging so security staff can identify it quickly. You do not need to declare medication proactively at security in most departure airports, but having your doctor's letter accessible avoids delays if you are asked. At Japanese arrival airports, the declaration step occurs at customs, not at security.

Customs and medication import rules for Japan

Japan Customs requires travellers to declare any psychotropic substances on the customs declaration form on arrival. Tick the relevant box and present your doctor's letter and Yakkan Shoumei (if applicable) to the customs officer. Officers may ask you to open your bag for inspection. Quantities within the 30-day personal-use limit with a supporting letter are routinely cleared; quantities exceeding 30 days without a Yakkan Shoumei may be confiscated at the border.^[4]

Controlled psychotropic: declare at customs

Diazepam is scheduled as a controlled psychotropic under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act. Carrying more than a 30-day supply without a Yakkan Shoumei can result in confiscation at the border. Always declare on your arrival customs form and present your Yakkan Shoumei and doctor's letter together. Failure to declare a controlled substance is a criminal offence under Japanese law.

While in country

Diazepam availability in Japan

Brands of diazepam sold in Japan

Brand name	Indication	Formulation	Supply note
Valium	Anxiety, muscle spasm, seizure, sedation	Oral tablet (2 mg, 5 mg)	Available at hospital-affiliated pharmacies; requires Japanese prescription

Valium (diazepam) is registered in Japan and dispensed at hospital-affiliated pharmacies with a valid Japanese prescription. Community retail pharmacies do not routinely stock controlled psychotropics. A private consultation to obtain a local prescription costs approximately ¥3,000 to ¥8,000 (~$19 to ~$50 / ~€17 to ~€43), depending on the clinic. Refilling your home supply in Japan is not a straightforward process and should not be treated as a backup plan.^[5]

To check the availability of other benzodiazepines in Japan, check our dedicated guide for the drug class.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe diazepam in Japan

Psychiatrists and neurologists in Japan can prescribe diazepam, but obtaining a controlled psychotropic prescription as a short-term visitor is uncommon. English-speaking clinics in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto are available and can advise on your options after reviewing your home prescription documentation. ^[6]

A consultation at a private English-language clinic typically costs ¥5,000 to ¥15,000 (~$31 to ~$94 / ~€28 to ~€81). Telemedicine services based in Japan can also provide initial guidance, though prescribing controlled substances remotely is restricted.^[6] For more information on prescriber options, refer to Nomedic's Japan healthcare guide.

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Storing diazepam while in Japan

Diazepam tablets require storage at room temperature below 25°C, protected from light and moisture. Tokyo's summer temperatures regularly reach 35°C, so avoid leaving medication in a bag in direct sunlight or inside a parked vehicle. Hotel rooms with air conditioning provide adequate storage in all seasons. If you are travelling to rural or mountain areas, a small insulated pouch maintains acceptable temperature conditions during daytime outings.

Emergencies

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

If your medication is lost or stolen, report the loss to the nearest police station (koban) immediately and obtain a written incident report. Bring the incident report, your doctor's letter, and any remaining packaging to a hospital emergency department, where a clinician can assess whether urgent replacement is clinically necessary.

If your supply runs out unexpectedly, go directly to a hospital with a psychiatry or neurology department rather than a community pharmacy. Present your home prescription and doctor's letter. Abrupt discontinuation of diazepam can carry clinical risks, so medical review is essential rather than waiting until you return home.

“ジアゼパム（バリウム）が必要です。 / 処方箋を持っています。 / 医師を呼んでください。 / 最寄りの薬局はどこですか？”

I need diazepam (Valium). / I have a prescription. / Please call a doctor. / Where is the nearest pharmacy?

Call 119 for an ambulance or 110 for police in Japan. For non-emergency medical assistance, the Japan Visitor Hotline (available 24/7 in multiple languages) can direct you to appropriate care: 050-3816-2787.

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Frequently asked questions

Is diazepam legal in Japan?

Diazepam is legal in Japan for personal medical use when accompanied by a valid prescription and the correct documentation. It is a controlled psychotropic under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act, so you must declare it at customs and carry a doctor's letter, plus a Yakkan Shoumei import certificate if your supply exceeds 30 days.

Can I bring diazepam into Japan?

Yes, you can bring diazepam into Japan for personal use up to a 30-day supply with a doctor's letter. For quantities exceeding 30 days, you must obtain a Yakkan Shoumei import certificate from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare before you depart. Declare the medication on your customs form on arrival.

Do I need a Yakkan Shoumei to bring diazepam to Japan?

A Yakkan Shoumei is required only if you are carrying more than a 30-day supply of diazepam into Japan. If your visit is 30 days or shorter and your supply matches your stay, a doctor's letter alone is sufficient. Apply for the Yakkan Shoumei through MHLW at least two to four weeks before departure if you need one.

How do I get a Yakkan Shoumei for diazepam before travelling to Japan?

Submit an application to the MHLW regional bureau responsible for your port of entry into Japan. The application requires your doctor's letter, your itinerary, and a description of the medication and quantity. Processing takes two to four weeks, so apply at least a month before your departure date.

Is diazepam available in Japan pharmacies?

Diazepam is available in Japan under the brand name Valium, but only at hospital-affiliated pharmacies and only with a Japanese prescription. Community retail pharmacies do not routinely dispense controlled psychotropics, so obtaining a local refill as a visitor requires a hospital consultation first.

Is Valium available in Japan?

Yes, Valium is the brand name under which diazepam is sold in Japan. It is dispensed at hospital-affiliated pharmacies with a Japanese prescription. Other global brand names such as Diastat and Valpam are not marketed in Japan, but the generic active ingredient diazepam is the same regardless of brand.

What if I run out of diazepam in Japan?

Go to a hospital with a psychiatry or neurology department and present your home prescription and doctor's letter. Community pharmacies cannot dispense controlled psychotropics without a local prescription. Seek medical review promptly rather than waiting, as abrupt discontinuation of diazepam requires clinical management.

Related practical guide

Benzodiazepines Abroad: Why Customs Can Seize Your Prescription

A valid prescription does not protect your benzodiazepines at every border. Here is what customs officers actually check, and what happens when supply runs out abroad.

Diazepam in Japan: Psychotropics Law, Valium and Import Rules