Last verified:
Status Indicators
- Banned. Mitragynine designated under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act
- Possession, sale, and import all illegal
- Japan Customs seizes shipments
At a Glance
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Legal Status | Banned |
| Age Limit | N/A |
| Regulated | No |
| Controlled Substance | Yes |
| Last Policy Change | Long-standing prohibition under Pharmaceutical Affairs Act |
National Legal Framework
Japanu2019s Pharmaceutical Affairs Act provides authority to designate psychoactive substances. Mitragynine has been included.
Regional/State Variations
Regulation is national-level. No sub-national variation.
Import/Export Rules
Imports of kratom into Japan are illegal. Customs authorities have authority to seize shipments. Outbound exports of kratom are also prohibited where the substance itself is banned.
Penalties
Possession, sale, and import of kratom in Japan carry criminal penalties under Japanese Pharmaceutical Affairs Act (designated substance classification). Specific penalties scale with quantity and intent.
Buying & Shipping to Japan
Do not ship kratom to Japan. Customs will seize shipments. Recipients face criminal exposure. Reputable vendors block Japan at checkout.
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Q: Is kratom legal in Japan?
A: No. Kratom is banned in Japan under Japanese Pharmaceutical Affairs Act (designated substance classification).
Q: When did Japan ban kratom?
A: Long-standing prohibition under Pharmaceutical Affairs Act.
Q: What are the penalties for kratom possession in Japan?
A: Possession is a criminal offense under Japanese Pharmaceutical Affairs Act (designated substance classification). Specific penalties depend on quantity and intent.
Q: Can I bring kratom into Japan?
A: No. Importation is illegal and customs will seize the product.
Q: Is there any active legalization effort in Japan?
A: No major legalization effort is currently advancing.
Sources
- worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/kratom-legality-by-country, World Population Review 2026 Kratom Legality by Country
- www.kratomit.eu/kratom-legality-where-is-kratom-legal-and-where-is-it-not/, Kratomit.eu international kratom legality summary
- eka.eu/about-kratom/kratom-legality/, European Kratom Association legality tracker
- www.kratomscience.eu/kratom-legality/, Kratom Science Europe legal status guide
- kratomstore.com/blog/international-kratom-law-where-is-it-banned-or-legal/, International kratom law summary
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitragyna_speciosa, Mitragyna speciosa Wikipedia entry with country-by-country legal status
