Safety in Japan: Emergency Numbers and Expat Support Centers
Save 110 (police), 119 (ambulance/fire), and 118 (coast guard) to your phone. For non-emergencies, call #9110. During disasters, check the Safety tips app and use NTTโs 171 voice message service. This guide explains when to call, what to say, and where expats can get multilingual help.
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Quick start what to do in an emergency
- Life-threatening? Call 119 immediately. Speak slowly. You can say โEnglish, pleaseโ and stay on the line while the dispatcher connects an interpreter if available. Then state: your location, the problem, number of people, and any dangers (fire, traffic, gas). In Tokyo, ambulance transport itself is generally free; youโll pay at the hospital.
- Crime or accident? Call 110. Police can arrange an interpreter on the line if you donโt speak Japanese.
- At sea or on the coast? Call 118 for the Japan Coast Guard. Use 118 for drowning, accidents on beaches/rivers, or suspicious maritime activity.
- Not sure itโs an emergency? In many areas you can call #9110 for police advice or visit a koban (neighborhood police box) for directions and non-urgent help.
- Visitor or new resident and need English help finding a hospital? Call JNTOโs Japan Visitor Hotline 24/7 at 050-3816-2787 for guidance in English, Chinese, Korean, or Japanese.
Internal tip: Add related reads to your bookmarks for faster orientation later: Setting Up Utilities in Japan, Japanese SIM Card Guide, and Cost of Living in Japan 2025.
Essential emergency numbers in Japan
| Service | Number | When to call | Languages / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police | 110 | Crime, traffic accident, immediate danger | Interpreters are available; say โEnglish please.โ |
| Fire / Ambulance | 119 | Fires, serious injury or illness | Dispatchers can connect interpreters in many areas; call firstโambulance transport is free but hospital care is paid. |
| Coast Guard | 118 | Maritime emergencies and suspicious activity at sea | Nationwide three-digit emergency number for the Japan Coast Guard. |
| Police consultation (non-emergency) | #9110 | Advice, stalking, scams, neighborhood disputes | Routes to the General Advisory Center; multilingual support in major areas. |
| Disaster voice message | 171 | Check in with family after a major disaster | NTTโs Disaster Emergency Message Dial to record/check safety messages. |
Also handy: How to Pay Bills in Japan, Moving Companies in Japan, and Renting an Apartment in Japan.
How to call 119 for an ambulance step by step
1) Start with: โAmbulance, please.โ
2) Give location: building name, block number, nearest station, floor, entrance notes. If youโre on a highway or trail, describe visible markers.
3) Describe the person: age, symptoms, consciousness, breathing, bleeding.
4) Safety details: gas leak, fire, smoke, trapped persons.
5) Stay on the line until the dispatcher says itโs okay to hang up.
Costs: In Tokyo and most of Japan, the ambulance ride is not billed; you pay for treatment/medication at the hospital. Bring your health insurance card and cash/credit.
Not sure whether to call an ambulance? Tokyoโs #7119 medical advice line can triage symptoms and direct you to appropriate care, but operators generally do not offer foreign-language support; use a Japanese speaker or try JNTOโs hotline for English.
Related reads to plan non-urgent care: Health Insurance in Japan, Finding English-speaking Doctors in Tokyo, Eating Out in Japan.
Police help for expats
- Emergency: call 110. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police confirm that if you donโt speak Japanese, โa police interpreter will be on the line to assist you.โ
- Non-emergency: call #9110 for the General Advisory Center; theyโll route you to the right desk and can serve multiple languages. You can also walk into any koban for in-person help.
- What to report: who, what, when, where, injuries/damage, and your contact number. For scams or stalking, #9110 is appropriate unless thereโs immediate danger.
New in town? Read our practical guides: Tokyo Subway Guide, Biking in Japan, Weekend Getaways from Tokyo.
Coastal and marine emergencies
If an incident occurs at the beach, on a river, or at sea, dial 118 for the Japan Coast Guard. This three-digit number has operated nationwide since 2000 for maritime accidents, distress, and suspicious vessels.
Disaster readiness for earthquakes and typhoons
1) Install the official Safety tips app. It sends multilingual alerts (earthquake early warnings, tsunamis, weather) and evacuation information. The Cabinet Officeโs disaster guidance lists Safety tips and NHK WORLD-JAPAN as key sources during emergencies.
2) Understand emergency warnings. The Japan Meteorological Agency issues color-coded warnings and โEmergency Warningsโ for life-threatening eventsโknow what they mean and follow local instructions immediately.
3) Use the 171 voice message system after major disasters. If phone lines are congested, NTTโs 171 lets you record and check safety messages using the recipientโs phone number as a key.
4) Evacuation basics: move to higher ground for tsunami, avoid rivers/bridges, bring ID and medications, and follow municipal announcements.
Prep now with our checklists: Emergency Kit for Japan, Moving to Japan Checklist, Buying Furniture in Japan.
Where to find English medical help in Tokyo
HIMAWARI โ Tokyo Metropolitan Medical Information Service
Phone 03-5285-8181, daily 9:00โ20:00. Counselors introduce medical institutions with foreign-language support and explain Japanโs medical system; the service is run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
The official Tokyo travel site repeats the same hours and purpose, confirming English assistance when you need a clinic or hospital that can serve you.
If you need multilingual guidance outside Tokyo or during triage, JNTOโs Japan Visitor Hotline is available 24/7 in English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese at 050-3816-2787.
Health-system primers: Pharmacies and Prescriptions
Expat support centers you can call
Japan has a strong network of public and nonprofit centers for foreign residents. Save the ones near you:
| Center | Area & hours | Languages / what they do |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Residentsโ Advisory Center (FRAC), Tokyo | Weekdays day-time | Phone advice on daily life, emergencies, traffic, family issues. English line 03-5320-7744. |
| Tokyo Multilingual Consultation Navi (TMC Navi) | Weekdays | Toll-free hotline for legal, visa and daily-life issues; run by Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation โTsunagari.โ 0120-142-142. |
| FRESC โ Foreign Residents Support Center (national one-stop in Tokyo) | Weekdays business hours | Government hub housing immigration, labor, legal and human-rights desks; multilingual access via Houterasu 0570-078377. |
| AMDA International Medical Information Center | Weekdays day-time | Introduces clinics with foreign-language support; multiple languages (hours vary by language). |
| Osaka Information Service for Foreign Residents (OFIX) | Weekdays (late hours some days) | Advice on daily life in 11 languages; phone/LINE/email/in-person. |
| Yokohama Foreign Residents Information Center (YOKE) | Weekdays; some Saturdays | Consultations in ~12 languages; introduction to specialists as needed. |
Moving beyond Kanto? See our city guides: Living in Yokohama, Living in Fukuoka, Living in Sapporo.
Human-rights and legal help
If you face discrimination, harassment, or abuse, contact the Ministry of Justiceโs Foreign-language Human Rights Hotline: 0570-090-911 (weekdays 9:00โ17:00). Online counseling is also available in English and Chinese.
For broader legal issues, the Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu) provides multilingual information and can connect you to legal aid and attorneys; they also handle calls routed from FRESC.
For consumer problems (e.g., shady contracts), your cityโs consumer center can also coordinate with foreign-resident desksโYokohamaโs site explains how they partner with interpreters.
Mental-health support in English
- TELL Lifeline (nationwide): 0800-300-8355 (toll-free) or 03-5774-0992 during scheduled hours; phone and chat are available on different schedules. Check the official page for current hours.
- Yorisoi Hotline (Helpline for Foreigners): Toll-free; press โ2โ after the initial guidance to reach foreign-language counselors. Operating details and access steps are on the official Yorisoi site and municipal pages.
Also useful while settling in: Volunteering in Japan, Eating Out in Japan, International Groceries in Japan.
Scripts you can copy for 110 and 119
Ambulance (119):
โHello. I need an ambulance. Iโm at [address / landmark] in [city]. The patient is [age] and [symptoms, e.g., severe chest pain and cannot breathe]. Conscious [yes/no]. My phone number is [number].โ
Police (110):
โHello. Iโd like to report [crime/accident] at [address / landmark]. Suspect [description]. Injured persons [yes/no]. My name is [name] and my phone number is [number].โ
If you need help with language, say โEigo onegai shimasuโ (English, please) and speak slowly.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an English non-emergency number for police?
Yesโ#9110 routes to a General Advisory Center (hours vary by prefecture). If youโre in immediate danger, always call 110.
Can I call an ambulance even if Iโm not sure?
If you think a life might be at risk, call 119. If youโre unsure in Tokyo, use #7119 for nurse advice (Japanese only) or call JNTOโs 24/7 hotline for English guidance to appropriate care.
How will I get alerts during disasters?
Install Safety tips and monitor NHK WORLD-JAPAN; both are recommended in official disaster guides and push urgent warnings.
How do I tell family Iโm safe if phones are down?
Use NTTโs 171 Disaster Emergency Message Dial to record and check voice messages tied to your phone number.
Regional quick-reference (Tokyo example)
- FRAC, Tokyo: English 03-5320-7744 (weekdays). Advice on daily life, emergencies, traffic, and family matters.
- TMC Navi: 0120-142-142 (weekdays). Legal/visa/daily life in multiple languages. (
- HIMAWARI: 03-5285-8181 (daily 9:00โ20:00). Find clinics with English and other languages.
- FRESC one-stop center (Shinjuku): Multi-agency support; multilingual access via 0570-078377 (Houterasu).
Heading elsewhere? Our area guides cover services, costs, and lifestyle: Living in Fukuoka as an Expat, Living in Sapporo, Buying Property in Japan.
Best practices for expats in Japan
- Save key numbers now: 110, 119, 118, #9110, 171, and your cityโs foreign-resident desk.
- Install essential apps: Safety tips, NHK WORLD-JAPAN.
- Know your nearest koban and evacuation sites. Police boxes are reliable places to get directions or help.
- Carry a โmedical note.โ List allergies, medications, and an emergency contact.
- Register with your embassyโs alert service and keep copies of ID and health insurance.
Glossary of useful phrases
- Kyuukyuu desu. Itโs an emergency.
- Kyลซkyลซsha onegai shimasu. Please send an ambulance.
- Keisatsu onegai shimasu. Please send the police.
- Basyo wa โฆ The location is โฆ
- Ima sugu kimashita ka? Are they on the way?
Resource table you can bookmark
| Need | Where to start |
|---|---|
| 24/7 travel and hospital guidance in English | Japan Visitor Hotline 050-3816-2787. |
| Multilingual disaster alerts | Safety tips app; NHK WORLD-JAPAN. |
| Check in after a major disaster | 171 Disaster Emergency Message Dial. |
| Human-rights counseling (discrimination, DV, etc.) | MoJ 0570-090-911; online counseling available. |
| English mental-health support | TELL Lifeline 0800-300-8355 / 03-5774-0992 (see current hours). |
| Police non-emergency advice | #9110 General Advisory Center. |
| Tokyo medical info line | HIMAWARI 03-5285-8181 (9:00โ20:00 daily). |
| Osaka/Yokohama expat help desks | OFIX (Osaka) and YOKE (Yokohama). |
Final checklist
- Save the six numbers: 110 / 119 / 118 / #9110 / 171 / 050-3816-2787.
- Add the local support desks for your city (Tokyo FRAC/TMC Navi, Osaka OFIX, Yokohama YOKE).
- Install Safety tips and NHK WORLD-JAPAN and enable notifications.
- Keep your health insurance card and a simple โmedical noteโ in your wallet.
- Practice the two scripts above so you can speak calmly under stress.
Stay prepared, stay calm, and keep this page handy. If youโre building your safety plan alongside your move, these guides help too: Expat Housing Guide, Setting Up Utilities in Japan, How to Pay Bills in Japan, Furnishing Your Apartment on a Budget.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
