Japanese Ship Medical Chest Regulation

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Regulation at a glance

Last verified · 31 August 2026
StatusMariners Act enforcement requirements and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) Sanitary Supplies Tables under Ministry of Transport Notice No. 801 of 1995, revised in July 2024.
Applies toJapanese ships required to carry medicines and sanitary supplies under Article 53(1) of the Mariners Act Enforcement Regulations. The applicable class depends on vessel type, operating area and onboard medical responsibility.
Medical chest basisJapan uses four national sanitary-supply classes (A to D). The 2024 revision updated items and quantities in light of medical practice and international guidance.
Regulatory relationNational Regulation; informed by WHO guidance but governed by the Japanese tables.

Japanese vessels should use the applicable MLIT sanitary-supplies table. A generic WHO chest is not a substitute for the class and quantities prescribed by the Japanese regime.

Disclaimer: This page is a practical overview and not legal advice. Always check the current flag-state notices and vessel-specific requirements.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

01 · Confirm applicability
Japanese ships required to carry medicines and sanitary supplies under Article 53(1) of the Mariners Act Enforcement Regulations. The applicable class depends on vessel type, operating area and onboard medical responsibility.
02 · Select the correct scale
Japan uses four national sanitary-supply classes (A to D). The 2024 revision updated items and quantities in light of medical practice and international guidance.
03 · Maintain compliant stores
Keep medicines, medical equipment and first-aid supplies complete, in date and ready for use.
04 · Verify before inspection
Check the current official sources and vessel particulars before supply, replenishment or certification.
Regulatory framework
National Regulation; informed by WHO guidance but governed by the Japanese tables.
The flag-state’s current legislation and notices determine the final vessel-specific requirements.
!
Dangerous goods & IMDG

Check cargo-specific medical-store requirements

Where dangerous goods are carried, review cargo-specific medical-store requirements and the current IMDG Code alongside this flag-state framework. The applicable flag-state rules remain controlling.

Open official IMO IMDG page ↗

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Keep the statutory basis and vessel-specific working records together so the medical chest can be checked efficiently on board.

Primary legislation
Mariners Act enforcement requirements and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) Sanitary Supplies Tables under Ministry of Transport Notice No. 801 of 1995, revised in July 2024.
Vessel-specific scale
Applicable medical-store requirements
Japan uses four national sanitary-supply classes (A to D). The 2024 revision updated items and quantities in light of medical practice and international guidance.
On-board working file
Inventory, expiry and vessel details
Maintain a current vessel-specific overview for replenishment and compliance checks.
✓
Compliance evidence
Supporting compliance records
Keep the supporting records needed to demonstrate that the medical chest matches the applicable scale.

HOW SEAFARMA CAN HELP

Seafarma can translate the applicable requirements into a practical vessel-specific supply, inspection and delivery workflow.

Scale review Identify the applicable medical-store framework and vessel category.
Supply and replenishment Prepare medicines, equipment and first-aid supplies for the applicable scale.
Inspection preparation Support inventory checks and readiness for the applicable inspection process.
Ship delivery & agent coordination Arrange worldwide delivery to the vessel and coordinate ETA, berth, agent details and handover instructions.

Dangerous Goods

When the vessel is carrying dangerous goods, the medical chest should also be in accordance with the following regulation:

get in touch

Seafarma can supply medical chests tailored to the Japanese requirements and vessel profile. Final contents must be checked against the current official flag-state instrument and vessel-specific requirements.

Contact us