ADHD in Japan: The Complete Guide for Foreign Residents
ADHD can be diagnosed and treated in Japan, health insurance covers it, and English-speaking care exists. Japan's rules on ADHD medication differ from those in many other countries in three ways:
- Adderall is illegal here.
- A diagnosis from abroad must be re-confirmed in Japan. A doctor here must confirm it before stimulants can be prescribed.
- Concerta, the main stimulant, is dispensed through a nationwide registration system. It has also been in short supply.
None of these stops treatment. They do make ADHD the area of psychiatric care where it helps most to understand the system before you move.
Can you continue ADHD treatment from abroad?
Yes, but not by handing over your old prescription. Foreign prescriptions cannot be filled in Japan, and a doctor here must confirm the ADHD diagnosis before prescribing stimulants. Bring your records (diagnosis, test results, and medication history with doses and response) and book a psychiatrist who treats adult ADHD; with good records, the first visits confirm the diagnosis rather than start from scratch. The steps are in our diagnosis guide.
Which ADHD medications are legal in Japan?
Four medicines are approved: Concerta, Vyvanse (children only), Strattera, and Intuniv. Adderall is not.
| Medication | Status in Japan |
|---|---|
| Adderall, Dexedrine (amphetamines) | Illegal. No prescribing pathway, and cannot be brought into the country in any amount |
| Concerta (methylphenidate ER) | Approved for children from age 6 and for adults, but only through registered doctors, pharmacies, and patients |
| Ritalin (methylphenidate IR) | Available, but approved only for narcolepsy, not ADHD |
| Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) | Approved for children (ages 6 to 17 to start); cannot be started in adults |
| Strattera (atomoxetine) | Approved for children from age 6 and for adults, ordinary prescription. Brand-name Strattera is no longer made; generic atomoxetine is prescribed |
| Intuniv (guanfacine ER) | Approved for children from age 6 and for adults, ordinary prescription |
Two consequences follow:
- If you take Adderall, do not bring it to Japan; possession is a criminal matter with no exemption paperwork, so plan a medication change before the move.
- If you are an adult on Vyvanse, it cannot be started in adults here; the usual path is Concerta or a non-stimulant.
Travel rules differ by drug: Vyvanse needs advance permission, and Concerta can be carried within a quantity allowance without a permit. Details are in our guide to bringing ADHD medication into Japan and on the ministry's English page for controlled medicines.
What is the registration system?
A triple registration: your doctor, your pharmacy, and you. Since December 2019, Concerta and Vyvanse have been prescribed and dispensed only through a nationwide management system that the label requires, built to prevent misuse and diversion. Choose a clinic that is registered, and bring identification to your first prescription. The system is a distribution control run by the manufacturer, not a government register, and medical confidentiality applies as usual. How it works step by step is in our medication guide.
Is Concerta in short supply?
Yes. Concerta has been on limited shipment since September 2025. Earlier notices from the manufacturer asked doctors to hold off on new starts and dose changes, and the latest asks them to adjust the number of days supplied and to consider other medicines. Availability varies by clinic, so ask before booking. Generic atomoxetine and guanfacine are alternatives that sit outside the registration system. The current supply situation is in our medication guide.
How does getting diagnosed in Japan work?
Through a detailed interview, rating scales, and usually cognitive testing, over two to four insured visits in most straightforward cases. The interview covers your current difficulties and your childhood, because ADHD is developmental and evidence of symptoms before about age 12 matters; when ADHD is suspected, testing such as the WAIS clarifies your profile but is not by itself an ADHD test. Details are in our diagnosis guide and testing guide.
What are the options besides stimulants?
Two non-stimulants, atomoxetine and guanfacine, are approved for adults and need no registration. Each has its own patient guide (atomoxetine, guanfacine), and how they compare with Concerta is in our medication guide. Coaching, CBT-based skills training, and workplace adjustments can be added alongside medication; these are separate from the insured consultation, and many are self-pay.
Frequently asked questions
This article is general information, not medical advice for your individual situation. Decisions about diagnosis and medication belong in a consultation with a doctor who knows your history.
Medically reviewed by our psychiatrist (M.D.). Updated October 16, 2026.