While I was recently in Japan/Tokyo I was walking 5-10 hours a day and
after about 5 days of walking I developed back pain in my lower back. 
Getting off my feet was enough to quite the pain, but I had more to do
here in Tokyo, I wanted a solution.  So, after being dissuaded by the
hotel desk manager of a massage, I visited a local drug store for some
pain relief and maybe even something that would let me continue on my
walking each day.  I was recomeneded a pain relief drug with plenty of
japanese characters on the box and only a few english ones, reading
"sata" and "ringl".  I did some searching on google and I was able to
find an image of the box here.  The medication did wonders and even
though I was told to take one every 4-6 hours with a meal, I only took
the medication about once a day for the remaining 4 or 5 days of my
trip.  The thing that amazed me, is that after a few hours of rest, my
back would return to pain with only 10-20 minutes of walking, and with
taking the medication and a nights rest, I was able to walk for 6
hours before my back was aching agian, at which point I would take a
pill.  I didn't want to take any more than I needed too as I did not
know what was in it.  And so I have been wondering ever since I
returned, what was in that stuff.

original
http://search.sato-seiyaku.co.jp/pub/search/dispproduct.php?productid=824
translated
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://search.sato-seiyaku.co.jp/pub/search/dispproduct.php%3Fproductid%3D824&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://search.sato-seiyaku.co.jp/pub/search/dispproduct.php%253Fproductid%253D824%26hl%3Den%26hs%3Dy9G%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official

my question is actually a series of questions.
what is the name of said product?
what is the active ingredient of said product?
is there an american alternative with the same active ingredient?
does this directly relate to one of the major name brands, advil,
tylenol, asirpin, etc.., or is there a difference between the
medications?

Hello Jdavid_net,


<What is the name of said product?>

Ringl IV by Sato PHARMACEUTICAL CO.,LTD


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<What is the active ingredient of said product?>

IBUPROFEN 
://www.google.com/search?hl=es&rls=GGLJ%2CGGLJ%3A2006-05%2CGGLJ%3Aen&q=%22Ringl+IB%22++ibuprofen&btnG=B%C3%BAsqueda&lr=


---------------------------------------


<Is there an american alternative with the same active ingredient?>

Yes, Motrin IB

http://www.motrin.com/products/adult/detail.jhtml?id=motrin/products/adults/motrinib.inc

---------------------------------------

<Does this directly relate to one of the major name brands, advil,
tylenol, asirpin, etc.., or is there a difference between the
medications?>


Ringl IB contains 150 mg of Ibuprofen and Motrin IB contains 200 mg of Ibuprofen.

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=42724&catid=22&trx=PLST-0-SRCH&trxp1=22&trxp2=42724&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-SRCH




OTHER COMMON IBUPROFEN IB BRAND NAME(S):
Advil, Aleve, Anaprox, Clinoril, Daypro, Feldene, Meclomen, Mobic,
Motrin, Nalfon, Naprosyn, Nuprin, Tolectin
http://www.pharmacyhealth.net/d/ibuprofen-ib-1241.htm

Advil
Advanced Medicine for Pain, 200mg, Caplets
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=10006&catid=22&trx=PLST-0-SRCH&trxp1=22&trxp2=10006&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-SRCH


Search terms
Ringl IB


I hope the information provided is helpful!

Best regards, 
Bobbie7

Thank you for the five stars and tip!
--Bobbie7