Japan Post (EMS, International Mail) Tracking API & MCP

Query live Japan Post (japanpost) package status and scan history in a single synchronous GET request or MCP tool call. lastscanned auto-detects S10 numbers ending JP (with a valid check digit) in Pass 1 and returns a normalized TrackingResult JSON payload, with no Japan Post account or API key.

Overview & Quick FactsCopy Anchor Link

Why developers use lastscanned for Japan PostCopy Anchor Link

• HTML to JSON: Japan Post's English results page is server-rendered HTML with paired table rows and MM/DD/YYYY dates. lastscanned reads the history table and returns normalized events, newest first.
• Local-time caveat handled: Japan Post prints overseas scans in the destination's local time. Only scans in Japan get a UTC timestamp (Asia/Tokyo); foreign scans carry localTime only.

Tracking Number Formats & Auto-Detection (matches)Copy Anchor Link

Only S10 numbers whose check digit is valid are claimed. Anything else needs ?carrier=japanpost.

Synchronous GET Request & Normalized JSON ResponseCopy Anchor Link

curlCopy Anchor Link

curl -s "https://api.lastscanned.com/v1/track/EE123456785JP" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $LASTSCANNED_API_KEY"

MCP track_package tool callCopy Anchor Link

{
  "tool": "track_package",
  "arguments": {
    "tracking_number": "EE123456785JP"
  }
}

Normalized TrackingResult JSON responseCopy Anchor Link

{
  "carrier": "japanpost",
  "trackingNumber": "EE123456785JP",
  "status": "exception",
  "statusDescription": "Item arrival at collection point for pick-up",
  "service": "EMS",
  "deliveredAt": null,
  "deliveredAtLocal": null,
  "signedBy": null,
  "destination": null,
  "events": [
    {
      "timestamp": null,
      "localTime": "2026-10-14T07:43:00",
      "status": "exception",
      "description": "Item arrival at collection point for pick-up",
      "location": "UNITED KINGDOM",
      "code": null
    },
    {
      "timestamp": null,
      "localTime": "2026-06-30T15:08:00",
      "status": "in_transit",
      "description": "Item into sorting centre",
      "location": "UNITED KINGDOM",
      "code": null
    },
    {
      "timestamp": null,
      "localTime": "2025-12-01T11:18:00",
      "status": "in_transit",
      "description": "Arrival at inward office of exchange",
      "location": "COVENTRY PARCELFORCE, UNITED KINGDOM",
      "code": null
    }
  ]
}

timestamp is null here because these scans happened overseas, where Japan Post prints local time with no zone.

NotesCopy Anchor Link

• Domestic numbers: Japan Post's domestic 11 to 13 digit numbers are not auto-detected; only S10 numbers ending JP are.
• Pick-up notices: scans such as Item arrival at collection point for pick-up map to exception, matching how other carriers' ready-for-collection notices are treated.
• No codes: Japan Post gives no event codes, so code is null and status comes from the wording.
• An unknown number returns 404 not_found (cached for 5 minutes).

Related ResourcesCopy Anchor Link

• Live browser lookup tool: Track a Japan Post package live on lastscanned.com/lookup/japanpost
• Carrier hub: All supported carriers
• Regex & check digits: Tracking number formats & auto-detection
• AI support workflows: WISMO AI agents & synchronous tracking