Enter Japan's
CBD market legally.
Japan's cannabinoid regulations have fundamentally changed. We've navigated every shift since 2013 — and we'll navigate this one for you.
★ Signature Service
The official answer
before you ship anything.
Import Verdict™ — New Service
Official Customs & Quarantine Assessment
We formally query Japanese authorities and deliver a written report on your product's importability — before you invest in a single shipment.
¥55,000 incl. tax
≈ $348 USD
Apply Now →Recall2019 · Self-Reported
★ Signature Service
Import Verdict™
We formally query Japan's customs and quarantine authorities about your specific cannabinoid product — and deliver the official answer in writing, before you invest in a single shipment.
Submit Your Product
Name, category, full ingredient list, cannabinoid profile, CoA documents, and intended use — all submitted via our secure form.
Official Authority Query
We submit your documents to Japan Customs, MHLW, quarantine stations, and any other applicable authority to obtain an official position.
We Handle All Follow-Up
Additional documentation requests, revisions, or clarifications from authorities — all handled by our team on your behalf.
Written Report Delivered
A formal PDF report stating importability, required tests, required documents, and applicable law — cited at the article level.
What Your Report Includes
Import Verdict
Importable as-is / Importable with modifications / Not importable under current law — stated clearly.
Required Testing
Which tests Japanese authorities require, which accredited labs to use, and in what format to submit results.
Required Documentation
Complete list of documents needed for MHLW import notification and customs clearance.
Applicable Law
Japanese statutes, ministerial ordinances, and MHLW notices cited at the article level.
¥55,000
≈ $348 USD
1st product · incl. 10% tax · add'l +¥38,500
CBD Molecule
Cannabidiol (CBD) is non-psychoactive. Currently importable into Japan with the correct documentation and test results.
Hemp Plant
Japan's 2024 law reform shifted from plant-part regulation to ingredient-based regulation. What matters now is what's in the product.
Certificate of Analysis
A Japan-accredited lab CoA is mandatory for MHLW import notification. Not all foreign labs are accepted — we tell you exactly which ones qualify.
Japan Customs & MHLW
Import Verdict™ means we formally query Japanese authorities before you ship — and give you their answer in writing.
02 — Services
From compliance to first sale —
we handle everything.
★ Signature Service
Import Verdict™
The official written answer on whether your product can enter Japan — from the authorities themselves.
- Formal query to Customs & Quarantine
- Written report with legal citations
- Required tests & documents listed
- Clear path to clearance outlined
Core Service
Japan CBD ONE-STOP Service
From compliance review to first sale — fully managed Japan market entry.
- MHLW import notification filing
- Japan-accredited lab coordination
- Japanese labeling & translation
- E-commerce setup, payments & remittance
2026 Priority
Compliance Audit & Re-Certification
Already selling in Japan? We audit your full product portfolio against the 2024 law reform.
- Full portfolio risk assessment
- Japan lab re-testing coordination
- Product-by-product risk classification
- Remediation roadmap
Subscription
Regulatory Intelligence Retainer
Monthly digests and breaking alerts so you're never caught off guard by a regulatory change.
- Monthly cannabinoid regulation digest
- Instant MHLW announcement alerts
- CBG, CBC & novel cannabinoid tracking
- Direct access to our regulatory team
Logistics
Import Clearance & Warehousing
End-to-end shipment management so your goods never get seized at the border.
- Pre-shipment document review
- Customs clearance & duty management
- Bonded warehouse (Suwa, Nagano)
- Domestic fulfillment
Distribution
Sales Promotion & Distribution
Japanese-language marketing and channel development to build sustained revenue.
- Japan e-commerce platform setup
- Wholesale channel introductions
- Japanese consumer marketing
- Revenue collection & international remittance
Weekly Update
Last Week in Japan's
Cannabinoid Industry
Auto-updated every Monday
Japan Cannabinoid Industry Weekly
Regulations, market moves, enforcement, and research — automatically compiled every Monday by AI from Japanese industry sources. Source links included.
CBD Logistics Japan Launches Fully Renewed Website & Import Verdict™ Service
Asayake Inc. has relaunched cbdlogistics.jp with a comprehensive service upgrade. The flagship Import Verdict™ service now delivers formal written determinations directly from Japanese customs and MHLW authorities for international CBD brands — providing legal certainty before any shipment commitment.
CBN Designation Notice Delayed Beyond February — MHLW
Japan's Pharmaceutical & Food Safety Council had ruled CBN (cannabinol) designation "appropriate" in October 2025, with a February 2026 notice expected. That notice has been delayed, but the ministry confirmed the designation intent remains unchanged. CBN should continue to be treated as import-prohibited.
CBG Demand Surges Among Japan Wholesale Buyers as CBN Exits
Following CBN's effective market exit, domestic wholesale buyers report a sharp uptick in CBG (cannabigerol) inquiries. Currently unscheduled in Japan, CBG is being positioned as the primary replacement for the sleep-support market segment previously served by CBN products.
04 — Compliance Reference
2026 Compliance
Quick Reference
| Product Category | Legal Limit | Equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oils & Powders | ≤ 10 ppm | 10 mg/kg | Standard CBD oils, tinctures |
| Water-based & Water-soluble | ≤ 0.1 ppm | 0.10 mg/kg | 100× stricter — most commonly missed |
| Other (capsules, gummies, topicals) | ≤ 1 ppm | 1 mg/kg | Most edibles, soft gels, and topicals |
01 — Regulatory Landscape
Japan Cannabinoid
Regulatory Timeline
2013
Japan's First CBD Import Approval
Asayake Inc. negotiated directly with MHLW and secured Japan's first-ever CBD product import approval — building the customs pathway from scratch when no framework existed.
December 12, 2024 — In Force
Cannabis Control Act Reform — Ingredient-Based Regulation
Japan shifted from plant-part regulation to ingredient-based regulation. Products with Δ9-THC ≤ 0.3% are legally defined as CBD products. Product-category THC residue limits simultaneously enacted.
March 1, 2025 — In Force
Phase 2 — Cultivation Licensing System
New cultivation permit categories introduced. THC possession penalties increased from 5 to 7 years.
October 2025 → Notice Date: TBD
CBN Designation Process — Ongoing
Following a May 2025 incident in Yamanashi, MHLW initiated psychotoxicity review of CBN. Council ruled designation "appropriate" in October. February 2026 notice was delayed — but designation intent has not been withdrawn.
Outlook
Further Cannabinoid Scheduling Expected
CBG and CBC are currently unscheduled. Japan's regulatory pace has accelerated significantly since 2024. Brands should expect continued scrutiny of novel cannabinoids.
⚑ As of March 2026
CBN's formal enactment date is unconfirmed, but MHLW has not withdrawn its designation intent. Treat CBN as effectively prohibited and move to alternative cannabinoids without delay.
Is your product affected?
Get a formal written answer from Japanese authorities before committing capital to a Japan market entry. That's exactly what Import Verdict™ delivers.
Import Verdict — ¥55,00003 — How We Work
Your brand in Japan —
in five steps.
01
Initial Consultation
- Product portfolio review
- Compliance risk identification
- Recommended scope
- Timeline & fee estimate
02
Compliance Review
- Japan lab coordination
- CoA review & gap analysis
- Per-product compliance status
- Remediation recommendations
03
Import Notification
- MHLW filing preparation
- Full document set creation
- Authority correspondence
- Approval confirmation
04
Logistics & Storage
- Customs clearance management
- Bonded warehouse (Suwa, Nagano)
- Inventory management
- Domestic delivery
05
Sales & Remittance
- Japan e-commerce listing
- Japanese-language marketing
- Revenue collection
- International wire transfer
Blog
Regulatory Intelligence &
Market Insights
CBN in Japan: What the Delayed February Notice Actually Means for Your Business
The Pharmaceutical & Food Safety Council ruled designation "appropriate" in October 2025. The February notice was delayed — but the intent has not changed. We break down the difference between a "delay" and a "withdrawal," and what it means for brands carrying CBN products right now.
Compliance Guide · February 2026Japan's THC Residue Limits: The Water-Soluble Trap Most Brands Miss
The 0.1 ppm limit for water-based products is 100× stricter than for oils. Nearly every foreign brand gets this wrong.
Market Opportunity · January 2026Why CBG Is Japan's Best Cannabinoid Opportunity in 2026
CBN's exit created a ¥10B+ gap in the market. CBG is currently unscheduled and well-positioned with regulators.
05 — About
About Asayake Inc.
Asayake Inc. is based in Suwa, Nagano — Japan's precision manufacturing heartland — and has been Japan's leading cannabinoid compliance specialist since 2013. We secured Japan's first CBD import approval and have navigated every regulatory shift since.
Company
Asayake Inc.
株式会社あさやけ
CEO
Kazuhiko Shirasaka
白坂 和彦
Address
1-2562-1 Johnan, Suwa
Nagano 392-0017, Japan
Phone
Business Hours
Mon–Fri, 09:30–18:30 JST
Retail Site
Service Brand
CBD Logistics Japan
2013
First Import
12+
Years Active
2019
Voluntary Recall
A supplier misrepresented a product containing melatonin. Upon discovery, we self-reported to the local health authority, immediately halted sales, and issued full refunds to all customers. Zero cover-up. Full transparency.
"Japan has missed every global cannabis trend. That's precisely why it represents an enormous opportunity for international CBD brands — if they enter correctly."— Kazuhiko Shirasaka, CEO, Asayake Inc.
The market is growing despite tighter regulation. The shift to ingredient-based rules creates a clearer, more defensible entry path for compliant brands.
Illegal competition is being cleared out fast. Enforcement has intensified dramatically. Brands that enter correctly now will own the market.
CBN's exit is CBG's opportunity. A ¥10B+ market gap is actively seeking a replacement. CBD isolate, CBG, and terpene-forward products are best positioned.
Trust is the product in Japan. Japanese consumers have high brand loyalty and strong risk aversion. Brands that enter correctly command a sustained premium.
— Contact
Let's navigate Japan's
regulations together.
Company
Asayake Inc. / CBD Logistics Japan
Phone
Address
1-2562-1 Johnan, Suwa, Nagano 392-0017, Japan
Business Hours
Mon–Fri, 09:30–18:30 JST
Google Meet available across all time zones
We work with brands from North America, Europe, Israel, and Southeast Asia. All consultations are conducted in English. Scope and pricing are shared confidentially before any engagement.