There is a whole
rigamarole about this "
medicine into Japan" business that is kinda' crazy.
The only way to get a definitive list of what the Japanese Government actually allow is to contact them at the Ministry of Health directly......even THEY do not publish a list online or anywhere else. It is completely nutzo. Contact your countries home Dept of State,..... and they tell you to contact Japan. THEY don't have definitive lists!!!!!!
There is SOME information about some stuff online. But is is not definitave at all. In the end........ to be ABSOLUTELY sure... you have to contact Japan.
If you need any injectable drug ... like insulin... you'll need to apply for a Yakkan Shoumei. It requires a bunch of paperwork be sent to Japan, and then you get an official form back to carry through Japanese Customs. Unfortunately, is takes at least a few weeks with the round trip mailings. You have to send them IRCs for return postage too.
Watch your cold medicines! Anything containing Sudefed will land you in some deep hot water. Totally prohibited. It is common in many OTC cold remedies.
Take a look at these links I use for my students for us traveling to Japan:
Importing or Bringing Medication into Japan for Personal Use
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/topics/0104/tp0401-1.html (日本語)
Procedures of Passenger Clearance
American Citizen Services | Embassy of the United States Tokyo, Japan
Bringing Medications to Japan--Japan Center for Michigan Universities
Consulate General of Japan in Chicago
MD Travel Health - Japan - vaccinations, malaria, safety, and other medical advice
Here is the Yakkan Shoumei application paperwork in
(Jap)English:
http://kouseikyoku.mhlw.go.jp/kantos...nes_070618.pdf
Hope this helps.
best,
............john