GLP-1 Medication in Japan: Brands, Import Rules and Access

Quick reference

• Drug class: GLP-1 receptor agonists and GLP-1/GIP dual agonists
• Controlled substance: No active ingredient in this class is scheduled under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law. All are prescription-only but not controlled substances.
• Prescription required: Yes. All GLP-1 medications require a Japanese prescription for local dispensing. A foreign prescription cannot be filled directly at a Japanese pharmacy.
• Available locally: Semaglutide: yes (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus). Tirzepatide: yes (Mounjaro). Liraglutide: yes (Victoza, Saxenda, Xultophy). Dulaglutide: yes (Trulicity). Lixisenatide: yes (Lyxumia). Exenatide: limited or discontinued, verify before travel. Pramlintide: not registered in Japan.
• Storage: Most injectable formulations (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Trulicity, Victoza, Saxenda, Lyxumia) must be kept at 2–8°C before first use. Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) and most opened pens can be kept at room temperature up to 30°C for a limited period, check your specific product's label.
• Max supply to carry: Up to one month's supply may be brought into Japan without an import permit for personal use under the Yakkan Shoumei rules. Quantities above one month require advance MHLW approval.
• Key document: Doctor's letter on clinic letterhead naming the INN, brand name, dose, frequency, and quantity carried. A Yakkan Shoumei (import confirmation) is required if you carry more than one month's supply.
• Emergency alternative: If your specific brand is unavailable, consult a local endocrinologist or diabetes specialist who can assess which registered alternative is appropriate for your situation.

Taking GLP-1 medication to Japan

Japan has approved semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus), tirzepatide (Mounjaro), liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda, Xultophy), dulaglutide (Trulicity), and lixisenatide (Lyxumia) for clinical use. None of these active ingredients is scheduled under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law, so you do not need a controlled-substance import permit. Each is prescription-only, and a foreign prescription cannot be filled directly at a Japanese pharmacy.

Pramlintide (Symlin) is not registered by Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) and is unavailable locally. Exenatide's current registration status in Japan should be confirmed with the PMDA before travel, as marketing has been variable.^[1]

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 GLP-1 medication

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) requires that travellers carrying more than a one-month supply of any prescription medication obtain a Yakkan Shoumei (import confirmation certificate) before arrival. For a supply of one month or less, a doctor's letter and original packaging are sufficient. All GLP-1 medications fall under this general prescription-medication import rule. Refer to our diabetes in Japan travel guide for a full documentation checklist.

Because no GLP-1 active ingredient is a controlled substance in Japan, no Narcotics and Psychotropics Control permit is required for any member of this class. The standard doctor's letter and original pharmacy packaging are the only documents required for a one-month supply.

How much GLP-1 medication to bring

The standard personal-import allowance for prescription medication in Japan is one month's supply without a Yakkan Shoumei. This applies to every GLP-1 active ingredient in this class. If your trip exceeds one month, apply for the Yakkan Shoumei through the MHLW at least four to six weeks before departure. Bring a buffer of at least one extra dose cycle in case of travel delays.

Packing and storing GLP-1 medication for travel

All injectable GLP-1 pens (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Trulicity, Victoza, Saxenda, Lyxumia) must be stored at 2–8°C before first use, consistent with cold-chain medication guidelines.^[5] Once opened or in use, most pens tolerate room temperature (up to 30°C) for 4 to 6 weeks, but check your specific product information label. Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) is stored at room temperature and does not need refrigeration.

Use a medical-grade insulated travel case with ice packs for all refrigerated pens during transit. Tokyo's summer temperatures frequently exceed 35°C, so avoid leaving medication in a car or bag left in the sun. Request a mini-bar or fridge in your accommodation before arrival.

At the airport and border

Airport security with GLP-1 medication

All injectable GLP-1 pens and associated sharps (needles, lancets) are exempt from the standard 100 ml liquid restriction in carry-on baggage at most international airports when accompanied by a doctor's letter and pharmacy label. Japan's airport security authority follows the same liquid-medication exemption policy applied at Narita (NRT), Haneda (HND), Kansai (KIX), and other major airports. Present your medication separately at the security checkpoint with your doctor's letter to hand.^[2]

Needles and pen devices should be in a sharps case or the original branded pen packaging. If you use a dedicated sharps disposal container, keep it in your carry-on rather than checked luggage to avoid confusion with prohibited items at baggage screening.

Customs and import rules for GLP-1 medication in Japan

Japan Customs and the MHLW allow travellers to bring a personal supply of up to one month of prescription medication without prior import approval. A supply exceeding one month requires a Yakkan Shoumei submitted to the MHLW Regional Bureau before arrival. Declare your medication on the customs form if you are carrying quantities above your personal-use allowance or if asked by a customs officer.

While in country

GLP-1 medication availability in Japan

Semaglutide is available in Japan as Ozempic (injectable), Wegovy (injectable), and Rybelsus (oral tablet). Tirzepatide is sold as Mounjaro. Liraglutide is available as Victoza, Saxenda, and the combination product Xultophy. which are dispensed through hospital and clinic pharmacies with a local prescription.^[1]

Dulaglutide is available as Trulicity and lixisenatide as Lyxumia. Exenatide's current registration status in Japan should be verified with PMDA before travel, as Byetta marketing activity has been variable. Pramlintide (Symlin) is not registered in Japan and cannot be obtained locally under any circumstances.^[1]

A single consultation with an endocrinologist or diabetologist at a private clinic in Tokyo typically costs ¥3,000–¥8,000 (~$19–$50 / ~€17–€43) before medication costs. Prescription GLP-1 pens at a hospital pharmacy are priced in line with Japan's national drug tariff and are not available at general community pharmacies without a clinic prescription.

Pharmacy phrases in Japanese

Use these phrases at a pharmacy counter or clinic when asking about GLP-1 medication options.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe GLP-1 medication in Japan

Endocrinologists and diabetologists at private hospitals and international clinics in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto can prescribe GLP-1 medications to international patients. Private international clinics in Tokyo charge ¥5,000–¥15,000 (~$32–$95 / ~€28–€81) for an initial consultation. Use Nomedic's provider search to find English-speaking endocrinologists near your destination.^[3]

Storing GLP-1 medication while in Japan

Most hotels in Tokyo and other major cities have in-room refrigerators. Request one at booking and confirm it reaches 2–8°C, since some hotel mini-bars run at higher temperatures. If your accommodation lacks a fridge, ask the front desk to store your pens in the hotel's kitchen refrigerator. Learn more about cold chain management by reading our GLP-1 travel guide.

Tokyo's summer (June to September) sees temperatures regularly above 35°C. An in-use pen left at room temperature must be used within the product-specific window (typically 4 to 6 weeks at up to 30°C), so monitor ambient temperatures during day trips.^[6] Insulated medication wallets available at Japanese pharmacies (yakkyoku) are a practical backup for day travel.

Emergencies

What to do if something goes wrong with your GLP-1 medication in Japan

If your medication is lost or stolen, file a report with local police (dial 110) immediately and obtain a reference number. Japan's MHLW requires the police report as supporting documentation if you need to arrange an emergency replacement through a licensed clinic. Contact your travel insurance emergency assistance line immediately after filing the police report.^[4]

If you run out of your specific GLP-1 active ingredient, consult a local endocrinologist rather than attempting a self-directed switch. Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus), tirzepatide (Mounjaro), and liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda) are the most reliably stocked GLP-1 options in Japan's major cities.

Dial 119 for an ambulance in Japan. Emergency departments at major hospitals in Tokyo (such as Tokyo Medical University Hospital) have English-language assistance lines, but having your medication details recorded in your IPS significantly speeds up triage.

Frequently asked questions

Related practical guide

Sources

1. [1] PMDA (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency) — Approved Drug Products Search
2. [2] Narita International Airport — Security Screening Information
3. [3] Tokyo Medical Information Service — Hospitals and Clinics
4. [4] Japan Customs — Procedures for Importing Personal Medicines
5. [5] Novo Nordisk Medical — GLP-1 RAs Storage & Stabilty
6. [6] Does Ozempic Need to be Refrigerated?

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