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

URL: https://docs.lastscanned.com/carriers/japanpost

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 Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| **Carrier slug (`?carrier=`)** | `japanpost` |
| **Brand & service aliases** | Japan Post (日本郵便), Japan Post EMS, `trackings.post.japanpost.jp`, S10 `…JP` |
| **Category** | National postal operator (Japan), international mail |
| **Single-package REST endpoint** | `GET https://api.lastscanned.com/v1/track/{trackingNumber}` |
| **Batch REST endpoint** | `GET https://api.lastscanned.com/v1/track?numbers=EE123456785JP,...` |
| **MCP server (`https://mcp.lastscanned.com`)** | `track_package`, `track_packages`, `list_carriers` (`claude mcp add --transport http lastscanned https://mcp.lastscanned.com`) |
| **Authentication & pricing** | `Authorization: Bearer lsk_live_...` · **1 free keyless lookup/day per IP** · **Free tier** (5 unique numbers/day, $0) · **Pro** ($4.99/mo for 1,000 unique numbers, unlimited re-polls, $0.015/extra) · **HTTP 402 Stripe MPP** ($0.50 for 25-number `lsk_pack_` key or $0.02/number in USDC on Tempo) |

## Why developers use `lastscanned` for Japan Post

- **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`)

| Pass | Rule / Regex | Check Digit | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Pass 1 (`matches`)** | `/^[A-Z]{2}\d{9}JP$/` (UPU S10) | S10 mod-11 | `EE123456785JP` |
| **Pass 2 (`mayMatch`)** | *None* | n/a | n/a |

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

## Synchronous `GET` Request & Normalized JSON Response

### `curl`

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

### MCP `track_package` tool call

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

### Normalized `TrackingResult` JSON response

```json
{
  "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.

## Notes

- **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 Resources

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