Japan Emergency Numbers: 110, 119, and Where to Get English Help

The main Japan emergency number is 110 for the police and 119 for a fire or medical emergency. Both calls are free, 24 hours a day, from any phone. For emergency rescue at sea, dial 118 to reach the Japan Coast Guard.

Japan has no 911 or 112, so save these phone numbers before you need them. Tourists can also call the 24-hour Japan Visitor Hotline at 050-3816-2787 for help in English and other languages.

This guide covers every emergency number in Japan and what each service handles. It also explains what to say when you call, even if you don't speak Japanese.

Japan emergency numbers at a glance

Tip: Save 110, 119, and the JNTO hotline as emergency contact entries in your phone today.

Japan’s emergency numbers to know

These are the important phone numbers every visitor and foreign resident in Japan should know.

1. Police: 110

Dial 110 to report a crime or accident, such as theft, assault, or a traffic accident. The police operator will ask what happened and your address, then send officers.

Don't worry if you don't speak Japanese. Most police call centers can connect an interpreter by three-way call. Say "English" at the start and stay on the line.

After a traffic accident:

• Call 110, even if the accident seems minor or wasn't your fault.

• Take a photo of the scene and both vehicles.

• Collect the other driver's name, address, phone number, and license plate.

• Get contact details from any witnesses.

Lost your wallet or bank card? Report it at the nearest police box (koban), then call your bank to block the card.

Not an emergency? Call #9110, the nationwide police consultation line, for issues like stalking or neighbor disputes. It usually runs Mon-Fri, 8:30 to 17:15, though hours vary by prefecture. Victims of sexual crimes can call #8103, free and 24 hours a day.

2. Ambulance: 119

Dial 119 for a fire or medical emergency. The operator first asks whether you need a fire truck or an ambulance, so say "ambulance" or kyūkyū desu (救急です).

Many 119 centers offer English support. The Tokyo Fire Department has English-speaking staff, and other areas connect an interpreter.

Tell the operator:

• What happened, when, and where on the body the person is hurt

• Your address, or nearby landmarks such as an intersection, store, or station if you're unsure

• Your name and phone number

When you hear the sirens, go outside and guide the ambulance crew to the patient.

Is an ambulance free? The ride is free for residents and visitors. However, some areas now charge a hospital fee if staff judge your call non-urgent. Ibaraki Prefecture, Matsusaka City (Mie), and Nagasaki charge ¥7,700 or more.

3. Fire: 119

Sapporo Fire Bureau Rescue

Japan's fire number is also 119, the same as for ambulances. Tell the operator you need fire trucks by saying kaji desu (火事です). If anyone is hurt, ask for an ambulance too.

Give your address and describe the fire. The operator sends crews from your nearest fire station.

Move to a safe place while you wait. When the fire trucks arrive, guide the fire department to the fire.

4. Coast Guard (for sea rescue): 118

Japan Coast Guard

Dial 118 for emergencies at sea. This number reaches the Japan Coast Guard directly. Use it for boating accidents, people in trouble in the water, or suspicious vessels.

You can call 118 from a mobile phone, landline, public phone, or marine radio. Interpreter support is reported to be available for non-Japanese speakers, but it can take time to connect.

To help the Japanese Coast Guard find you, share GPS coordinates or describe nearby landmarks. Then follow the operator's instructions.

5. Non-emergency medical consultation: #7119

TFD Emergency Telephone Consultation Center

Call #7119 when you're unsure whether you need an ambulance. Nurses and doctors at the consultation center advise you on what to do. They can also suggest a nearby hospital with the right department.

Note that #7119 is not nationwide. Prefectures and cities run it locally, so availability and hours vary. In Tokyo, the TFD Emergency Telephone Consultation Center runs #7119.

For a sick or injured child, call #8000 instead. If someone's life is at risk, skip #7119 and dial 119.

6. Japan Visitor Hotline for tourists: 050-3816-2787

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) runs a free-to-use visitor hotline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Staff help tourists in English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.

Call it for help after an accident, illness, or natural disaster. From overseas, dial +81-50-3816-2787. Take advantage of it before you panic, but call 110 or 119 first in a life-threatening emergency.

7. Disaster message dial: 171

After a major disaster, dial 171 to record a safety message for family and friends. They can call 171 and play it back.

171 only works with Japanese phone numbers. To reach family overseas, use the Web 171 service instead.

Does Japan have 911 or 112?

No. Japan does not use 911 or 112. Some mobile phones may redirect these numbers, but don't rely on it. Always dial 110 for police or 119 for fire and ambulance services.

How to call from a public phone

Emergency calls are free from public phones in Japan.

• On phones with a red emergency button, lift the receiver, press the button, then dial 110 or 119.

• On newer public phones, just dial the number. You don't need coins.

Note for office workers: Some IP-based office phones cannot connect to 110 or 119. Keep a mobile phone nearby as a backup.

Deaf or hard of hearing? The Net119 system lets you contact the fire department by text. Register in advance with your local fire department.

Mental health and crisis support in Japan

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 119 now.

For emotional support, stress, or someone to talk to, these services offer free telephone counseling in English and other languages:

• Yorisoi Hotline: 0120-279-338. Press 2 for foreign language support. Open 10:00 to 22:00 daily.

• TELL Lifeline: free, anonymous counseling in English for anyone in Japan. Check the TELL website for the current phone number and hours.

• Anata no Ibasho: a free, anonymous chat service, open 24 hours a day.

TELL also offers counseling services for individuals, couples, and families. It has offices in Tokyo and Okinawa and offers chat, video, and phone sessions.

How to communicate in an emergency in Japan

Japanese emergency operators follow a set script. They ask what happened, where you are, and who needs help. Knowing the answers in Japanese gets help to you faster.

Most operators can connect an interpreter, but that takes time. Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency created this pamphlet to help you make an emergency call in Japanese.

Step 1: Call 119 and say “kyūkyū desu.”

Saying kyūkyū desu (救急です) tells the operator you have a medical emergency.

Step 2: Say your address, “jyūsho wa ~.”

It would be best to have your address memorized or phonetically written somewhere on you so it can be easily accessed and readable for your convenience. 

For locations other than your home address, use the place's name or a nearby landmark, such as the train station or bus stop. 

Step 3: Say your symptoms

Some common medical symptoms include: 

Step 4: State your age by saying “~ sai desu.”

Practice saying your age in Japanese in advance.

For example, someone 55 years old would say, "go juu go sai desu."

Step 5: State your name and contact information.

The operator needs your contact details in case they lose the call or can't find you.

Start by saying, "Watashi no namae wa ~ desu. Denwa bangō wa ~ desu.”

Memorize your phone number in Japanese in advance.

Step 6: Wait for emergency personnel to come.

Keep your phone with you in case the operator calls back. Go outside and wave to the emergency workers when they arrive.

Japan emergency number frequently asked questions

What is the emergency number in Japan?

Japan has two main emergency numbers. Dial 110 for the police and 119 for a fire or medical emergency. Both calls are free and work from any mobile phone, landline, or public phone. For emergencies at sea, dial 118 to reach the Japan Coast Guard.

Does Japan have a 911 or 112 emergency number?

No. Japan does not use 911 or 112. Some mobile phones may redirect these numbers, but you should not rely on that. Always dial 110 for the police or 119 for fire and ambulance services.

Is an ambulance free in Japan for foreigners?

Yes, the ambulance ride itself is free for residents and visitors. However, some areas now charge a hospital fee when a call is judged non-urgent. Ibaraki Prefecture started in December 2024, and Matsusaka City and Nagasaki charge 7,700 yen or more. You also pay your normal share of any hospital treatment.

Do Japanese emergency services speak English?

Often, yes. The Tokyo Fire Department has English-speaking staff on its 119 line. Many other call centers connect a three-way interpreter in English and other languages. Say English at the start and stay on the line while they connect.

What number should I call if I am unsure whether I need an ambulance?

Call #7119 first, if your area offers it. Nurses and doctors advise whether you need an ambulance or which hospital to visit. Prefectures run the service locally, so availability and hours vary. For children, call #8000.

Can I call emergency numbers from a public phone in Japan?

Yes. Calls to 110 and 119 are free from public phones. On phones with an emergency button, lift the receiver, press the red button, and dial 119. Newer public phones let you dial 119 directly without coins.

Who can tourists call for help in English in Japan?

Tourists can call the Japan Visitor Hotline, run by the Japan National Tourism Organization, at 050-3816-2787. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Staff help in English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese with accidents, illness, and natural disasters. For life-threatening emergencies, call 110 or 119 first.

Where can I get mental health support in English in Japan?

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 119. For telephone counseling, the Yorisoi Hotline at 0120-279-338 offers foreign language support when you press 2, from 10:00 to 22:00. TELL Lifeline provides free, anonymous counseling in English. Anata no Ibasho offers a free, anonymous chat service 24 hours a day.

In closing

Save the key Japan emergency numbers now: 110 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance, and 118 for the coast guard. Add the JNTO hotline if you're visiting.

For natural disaster preparation, read Tokyo's disaster prevention pamphlet. It explains how to prepare your home and family before an earthquake or other disaster.