About OTC Guide Japan

What Is OTC Guide Japan?

OTC Guide Japan is an English-language reference for over-the-counter medicines sold at Japanese pharmacies (薬局・ドラッグストア). We explain ingredients, dosage, usage instructions, and warnings in plain English so you can make confident, informed decisions — even if you can't read Japanese labels.

Who Is This For?

This site is for anyone living in, working in, or visiting Japan who occasionally needs to buy medicine without fully being able to read the Japanese packaging. Whether you've been in Japan for one week or ten years, navigating the medicine aisle can be confusing — we're here to help.

About the Author

Susumu

OTC Guide Japan is run by Susumu, who has passed the Japanese Registered Salesperson exam (登録販売者試験). In Japan, a Registered Salesperson (登録販売者) is qualified to sell category-2 and category-3 OTC medicines — the exam requires knowledge of pharmacology, ingredients, and safe medicine use. All medicine information on this site is verified against official Japanese product documentation.

Susumu also runs lifeabroad.jp, a broader resource for the international community in Japan.

Our Approach

• Information is drawn from official Japanese product inserts (添付文書) and labeling.
• We aim to be accurate, but always recommend confirming with a pharmacist (薬剤師) or registered salesperson (登録販売者) at your local pharmacy.
• Product photos are used for identification purposes only.

Disclosure

This site participates in the Amazon Japan affiliate program. If you purchase a product through a link on this site, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Contact

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