Japan's cannabinoid regulations have fundamentally changed. We've navigated every shift since 2013 — and we'll navigate this one for you.
CBN (cannabinol): MHLW Pharmaceutical Affairs Council ruled designation "appropriate" (Oct 2025). Feb 2026 promulgation deferred — enforcement date undetermined, intent remains firm.
THC residue limits (Dec 12, 2024): Oils ≤ 10 ppm · Water solutions ≤ 0.1 ppm · Other forms ≤ 1 ppm.
Not sure if your product can enter Japan? We formally query Japan's customs and quarantine authorities — and deliver an official written report. ¥50,000 per product.
Before committing to labeling, testing, warehousing, or marketing in Japan — know definitively whether your product can legally enter. We work directly with Japanese customs authorities and quarantine offices to get you a formal, documented answer.
Japanese public authorities frequently request supplementary information or minor document revisions during the review process. This is normal. When it occurs, we will contact you clearly and promptly. Your cooperation at that stage is required to complete the assessment.
If your product receives a clear-to-import verdict, we can act as the importer of record and handle all subsequent customs procedures on your behalf — from MHLW import notification through to delivery to our bonded warehouse in Nagano Prefecture.
Complete the form below. We will review your submission and send a quote by email. Payment is required before we begin. Once payment is confirmed, we start immediately.
Or email directly: [email protected] — subject "Import Verdict Application". We respond within 48 hours.
The complete picture — from the first approval in 2013 through today's live enforcement environment.
Before you invest in labeling, testing, or logistics — find out definitively whether your product can legally enter Japan. We formally query customs and quarantine authorities and deliver an official written report.
The complete market entry solution. From compliance audit through first sale — a single, coordinated engagement that removes every friction point between your product and Japanese consumers.
Already selling in Japan? The rules changed in December 2024. We rapidly assess your current product portfolio against the new THC residue thresholds and the pending CBN designation.
Japan's regulatory environment moves faster than most international brands can track. Receive structured briefings and immediate alerts.
We handle every customs procedure, documentation requirement, and storage arrangement — ensuring no shipment is seized, delayed, or rejected.
Compliance alone doesn't build a market. We connect your products with the right channels and handle Japanese-language marketing.
Our market entry expertise extends beyond cannabinoids. We support wellness, nutraceutical, and related brands seeking compliant access to Japan.
A structured five-phase process refined across more than a decade of Japan market entries.
Use Import Verdict to confirm your product can enter Japan before committing to any other step.
Which cannabinoids and product types can you legally bring to Japan right now?
| Product Category | Legal Threshold | Expression | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oils & Powders | ≤ 10 ppm | 10 mg/kg | Standard CBD oils and tinctures |
| Aqueous / Water-Soluble Solutions | ≤ 0.1 ppm | 0.10 mg/kg | 100× stricter — frequently overlooked |
| All Other Forms (capsules, gummies, topicals) | ≤ 1 ppm | 1 mg/kg | Most edibles, softgels, topicals |
CBN's formal enforcement date remains undetermined following the February 2026 deferral. The MHLW has not reversed its designation intent. Treat CBN as effectively prohibited and seek reformulation advice without delay.
Japan's original cannabinoid import specialists — Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture, since 2013.
Asayake Inc. was founded in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture — a quiet lakeside town in the Japanese Alps. From here, we built Japan's most authoritative cannabinoid compliance practice, beginning with the country's very first approved CBD import in 2013.
What began as a single successful negotiation with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has grown into a full-service market entry operation. Every regulatory change since 2013 has deepened our expertise and widened the gap between what we know and what any newcomer can quickly learn.
We operate a retail CBD shop (cbdjapan.com) alongside our consulting practice — active participants in the Japanese CBD market, not merely advisors standing outside it.
"Japan has missed every global cannabis trend. That means every overseas CBD business sees enormous opportunity here — if they know how to enter correctly."
Send us your company name and the products you want to bring to Japan. We'll respond within 48 hours.
We work with brands across North America, Europe, Israel, Southeast Asia, and beyond. All consultations are conducted in English. Service details and pricing are shared in confidence before any commitment is required.