Is Benzodiazepines legal in Japan?
- Legal status
- Controlled as psychotropics — import only if prescribed for the traveler, with advance permission for amounts above set limits
- Consequences if caught
- Non-prescribed possession or import → psychotropics offence; arrest and prosecution.
- If prescribed or medical
- Importable only if prescribed for you; advance permission from the Narcotics Control Department is required for larger amounts (apply at least 14 days before entry). Diazepam: no import certificate (Yunyu Kakunin-sho) needed under 1.2 g.
- Documentation
- Doctor's certificate stating the specific medical necessity ('personal use' is not accepted), a list of medicines with doses, original packaging, and declare at customs.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Japan’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →