Question about taking Prescription Medications & Medical Devices into Japan

We are on the Essence of Japan tour in October 2016. I have not seen the subject of traveling with medications in Japan addressed within this forum before, and am hoping someone can help. I have not had any luck getting information from the Japanese Embassy...go figure, and information via various government websites is not entirely clear on the process one must abide by. I have "failed back surgery syndrome" and take a minimal amount of hydrocodone and tramadol to manage chronic pain. These meds are prescribed (legally!) by my orthopedic surgeon. From what I'm reading on-line, it appears that hydrocodone for medical use is so highly regulated, that a visitor to Japan must apply, and be approved for an "Import/Export" license in order to legally travel with this drug in Japan. Just wondering if anyone has gone through this process? Also am wondering whether one has to have a doctor's letter to bring any type of prescription medication or medical device (TENS) into Japan?

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