Okinawa/Japan medicine/inhaler
 

We will soon be travelling to Okinawa Japan with our children. I have read that inhalers and allergy meds. are not allowed to be brought it. Our daughter does occassionally need the inhaler for respitory reasons. Has anyone dealt with this issue before?

Also, any other tips would be welcome.
What to see (with kids) on Okinawa, what to bring (month of May) etc. etc.

Thanks,

The only type of inhaler not allowed into Japan to my knowledge is Vick's inhaler, as it contains stimulants banned in Japan. You shouldn't have any trouble with your daughter's asthma inhalers. My family have taken them many times to Japan without a hint of problems.

Thanks, when needed she actually uses a
"nebulizer" that turns the aelbutoral (sp) into a mist. It is a small machine that is plugged in.

Would this be any problem?

I wouldn't have thought so.

I don't have any information about the rules, but I suggest you go with a strongly worded letter from her doctor, explaining the need for the nebulizer. I can't imagine that it would be kept out, but a letter couldn't hurt.

I have found few sites describing the medication rule. As usual, official sites do not go into specifics. I have not been able to find Okinawa site. Here is the Narita site:

http://www.narita-airport-customs.go.jp/e/index_e.html

The following consulate general site also describes the medicine rule, but does not mention other types of inhalers:

http://www.seattle.us.emb-japan.go.j.../index_faq.htm

Thank you.