Is Modafinil legal in Japan?
- Legal status
- SCHEDULED — designated psychotropic under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act (approved domestically as Modiodal); personal import strictly controlled.
- Consequences if caught
- Import without a Yakkan Shoumei certificate = seizure and possible detention.
- If prescribed or medical
- Personal import REQUIRES a Yakkan Shoumei certificate obtained ≥2 weeks in advance; a foreign prescription alone is NOT sufficient.
- Documentation
- Carry any prescription medicine in original packaging with your doctor's prescription and confirm with Japan's MHLW/NCD before travel. This substance is not specifically confirmed by a reachable source.
- Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act (designated psychotropic)
- ncd.mhlw.go.jp
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 →