Is Etizolam legal in Japan?
- Legal status
- Etizolam is a LICENSED prescription medicine in Japan (marketed as Depas by Mitsubishi Tanabe) — a widely prescribed prescription-only ethical drug. It is NOT a scheduled narcotic or psychotropic; Japan is etizolam's country of origin.
- Consequences if caught
- Only a prescription-medicine offence applies to illicit supply — etizolam is a normal prescription drug, not a scheduled narcotic.
- If prescribed or medical
- Fully approved and widely prescribed as Depas — a normal prescription-only medicine.
- Documentation
- As a licensed medicine, carry it in original packaging with your prescription; unlike the classic benzodiazepines it is not on the psychotropic import-certificate table.
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 →