Is CBD legal in Japan in 2025?
CBD has taken the world by storm and Japan is no exception. It is hard to miss the numerous articles and advertisements for innovative CBD products. The spike in demand is commonly attributed to an increasing amount of promising scientific research done on CBD. This is why we at Essentia Pura want to set the record straight. We want to explain the origins of CBD and the legal status of CBD oil. So, is CBD legal in Japan?
While this certainly means that it is a great opportunity to dive into the CBD business, there are still a lot of things to watch out for. For starters, you need to fully understand what CBD is and what it can do. Broad-spectrum CBD oil, full-spectrum oil, all of this terminology can be confusing. There is a large amount of misinformation about CBD, ranging from misrepresenting scientific data to outright wishful thinking.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is CBD?
- Basic information about the cannabis plant.
- History of CBD in Japan.
- Difference between marijuana and hemp and their regulation.
- Is CBD legal in Japan?
- Is CBD oil legal for military personnel in Japan?
- How to launch your CBD product on the Japanese market.
- How and where to buy CBD oil and other products in Japan.
If you are interested in any of these topics, please read the article in full.
What is CBD?
CBD, otherwise known as cannabidiol, is a part of the cannabis plant. What makes it interesting is that, unlike the famous THC, it does not affect your psychomotor functions. In other words, it does not make you feel high, while still potentially offering various health benefits.
If you are unfamiliar with CBD terminology, you might find some aspects of it confusing. This is why we will break it down for you.
Cannabis
Cannabis is so famous, that you without a doubt know something about it. Throughout time, the regulation and treatment of the plant went through various stages. In some parts of the world, it was and still is celebrated for its beneficial effects on human health, in other parts it has been prohibited and its uses were made illegal.
On top of that, you should know that there are different types of cannabis plants. The most famous two are marijuana and hemp, and they differ significantly in the chemical aspect as well as in the legal aspect. We will take a closer look at both, but let's first describe the history of cannabis in Japan.
Cannabis has been an important plant in Japan for thousands of years. Findings of cannabis seeds and woven fibers date back to 10.000 BCE. There is no historical evidence of smoking cannabis in Japan, but there are some signs that the plant has been used for medical use. On top of that, it has tremendous symbolic value in Japan and it was used for building shrines.
The main law dealing with cannabis is the Cannabis Control Act, passed in 1948 - under the occupation of the United States. The second major piece of legislation is the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act. The laws prescribe harsh treatment of cannabis and consequently difficult conditions for CBD use. All of this presents a big barrier to entering the Japanese CBD market and makes it difficult to produce competitive CBD oil and other products in Japan.
Marijuana
Marijuana is certainly the most well-known form of cannabis. Due to its high THC content, it causes intoxication and impairs normal abilities. In Japan, marijuana is currently illegal. Possession, use, and sale of marijuana are punishable by up to ten years in prison and a hefty fine.
Despite the efforts of some groups and growing evidence of its benefits, Japan does not have a medical cannabis program. This means that patients cannot legally purchase medical cannabis to alleviate their health issues. However, as of December 12, 2024, the Japanese government has approved medical cannabis for certain treatments, introducing a tiered licensing system for industrial and medical cannabis cultivation.
Hemp
Hemp, also known as industrial hemp, is used in various industries, including food, textiles, and cosmetics. Unlike marijuana, hemp has very low levels of THC. In Japan, hemp is legal but heavily regulated. To cultivate hemp, businesses must obtain a permit from authorities.
One of the key restrictions is that Japan enforces extremely strict THC limits. Hemp-derived CBD products must contain virtually zero THC to be legal. In 2025, Japan set an official limit of THC below 0.001% for CBD products, making compliance with this regulation a major challenge for CBD producers.
Back to CBD
So CBD is a part of the cannabis plant that does not make you feel high and might have some health benefits. But how do scientists get CBD from the plant into oil or other products?
In short, scientists extract CBD from the plant so that they isolate it from other cannabinoids. Most importantly, they separate it from the psychoactive substances (THC). They can then use the extracted substance to make CBD-infused cannabis oil or other products. If you want an in-depth, scientific look at CBD, please read our article here.
CBD laws in Japan
Generally speaking, CBD products are legal in Japan, but only if they contain no THC and are extracted exclusively from permitted parts of the cannabis plant. Unlike most Western countries, Japanese laws strictly regulate CBD products and their uses.
Important Legal Considerations:
- CBD products can only be marketed as food supplements or cosmetics—they cannot be advertised as medical products.
- Medical cannabis is now legal but limited to specific pharmaceutical-grade cannabis-derived treatments.
- Japan enforces some of the strictest THC content laws in the world, requiring THC levels below 0.001% in CBD products.
Despite these restrictions, the Japanese CBD market is expanding, and high-quality CBD products can be found in health food stores, department stores, and major transportation hubs such as Haneda Airport in Tokyo.
Is CBD oil legal for military personnel in Japan?
The legal status of CBD in Japan does not automatically mean that everyone is allowed to use it. Military personnel, particularly members of the U.S. armed forces stationed in Japan, are not allowed to use CBD. According to U.S. Department of Defense guidelines, the use of CBD products is prohibited due to concerns over potential THC contamination and drug test results.
Selling CBD oil
If you are thinking of starting your own CBD business in Japan, you need to comply with these regulations:
- Your CBD product must be extracted only from permitted parts of the cannabis plant.
- The product must contain virtually zero THC (below 0.001%).
- You cannot advertise your CBD product as a medicine—it must be marketed as a food supplement or cosmetic.
Finding a trusted CBD supplier is essential for businesses looking to enter the Japanese market. At Essentia Pura, we specialize in compliance-oriented CBD wholesale and can help businesses navigate Japan’s regulatory landscape.
If you are looking for a trusted supplier of CBD oil, we recommend Essentia Pura. We are a young Slovenian company, specializing in the wholesale of CBD oils. We take pride in being compliance-oriented and thoroughly researching the regulatory landscape of the country of business. Please, check out our website for more details. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us. Our professional staff will get back to you as soon as possible.
Exporting CBD oil to Japan
Many Western brands are looking to expand into Japan’s lucrative CBD market. However, due to Japan’s strict regulations, exporting CBD products requires careful planning. Here is short presentation of exportation, but if you want to read more about it, click here.
Key Steps for Exporting CBD to Japan:
Work with established distributors to ensure a smooth entry into the market.
Ensure compliance with Japan’s THC regulations (below 0.001%).
Obtain necessary regulatory approvals for food or cosmetic products.
Partner with legal counsel in Japan to handle import permits.
Buying CBD in Japan
Buying CBD is possible both online and in a regular shop. We usually recommend e-commerce stores due to the wider range of CBD oil on offer, but in this case, we urge you to be careful. The strict regulation of CBD in Japan means that any product produced outside of Japan should be carefully examined. You could quickly find yourself with an illegal product.
Consumers in the Japanese market currently have a wider variety of products available than you might think. You can choose between CBD isolate products or broad-spectrum CBD.
At this moment we think it is wiser to buy CBD oil from established Japanese brands. Several Japanese companies are compliance-oriented and offer proven high-quality products. - such as Healthytokyo or MUKOOMI.
We recommend you check out some online stores and pay a visit to your local CBD shop for a taste of high-quality CBD products made in Japan.
Conclusion
Let us quickly review what we have learned in the article:
- CBD oil is legal in Japan, but only under strict conditions.
- CBD products must be basically THC-free (below 0.001%).
- Medical cannabis is now legal, but only under pharmaceutical regulations.
- The Japanese CBD market is expanding, with products widely available in major cities and online.
- Exporting CBD to Japan is complex but possible, provided businesses follow strict regulatory guidelines.
Despite Japan’s historically tough stance on cannabis, public perception is shifting, and CBD’s future in Japan looks promising. If you are considering entering the Japanese CBD market, be sure to stay informed about the latest legal developments and work with trusted partners like Essentia Pura to ensure compliance.
If you want to learn more about the regulation of CBD oil in other countries, you are welcome to read our articles about:
About us
At Essentia Pura, we specialize in manufacturing high-quality white-label and private-label CBD products, helping businesses launch their own unique CBD brands. With cutting-edge hemp extraction methods and a commitment to compliance and quality, we support companies in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Whether you’re looking for ready-to-market formulations or custom solutions, we’re here to help you succeed in the growing CBD market.
