Emergency Numbers in Japan

When in Japan, it is important to know the emergency numbers and answering protocols that are specific to Japan.
We have compiled a list of the most useful numbers and phrases. Find out who to call, and what to say in case of an emergency in our guide below;

emergency-number

Emergency Numbers in Japan

Number When to call this number
110 (Police) To report a crime requiring immediate police response, such as:
  • Traffic accident
  • Violence/Assault
  • Burglary
  • Snatching/Pickpocketing/Mugging
119 (Fire, Ambulance, Emergency rescue)

To request support or prompt response for emergencies such as:

  • Fires
  • Urgent medical emergencies (stroke, severe chest pain, respiratory difficulties, etc)
  • Any other situation in which someone needs to be rescued
171 (Safety Confirmation in an Earthquake) Call this number to leave a message and let your family and friends know you are safe. Telephone lines can get busy if there has been a disaster. This is a simple way to let people know you are safe.

110 (Police)

110 Procedure

Be as clear as possible when making a call. Don't forget to specify:

  1. Who you are: state your name, a phone number you can be reached at, and specify whether you are a victim or a witness.
  2. What has happened, and how many people are involved
  3. When you arrived to the scene, and whether the incident is still happening
  4. Where you are: providing an address or directions to your location will help ensure assistance reaches you quickly (highlight nearby landmarks or check traffic lights for road names)

110 Japanese

English Phrase Japanese Translation Pronunciation
There was a crime. 事件がありました。 Jiken ga arimashita.
It was a robbery 強盗です。 Gôtô desu.
There was a traffic accident. 交通事故が起きました。 Kôtsûjiko ga okimashita.
It occured at --. 場所は--です。 Basyo wa -- desu.
The criminal wears black. 犯人は黒い服を着ています。 Hannin wa kuroi fuku wo kiteimasu.
The criminal ran away in the direction of --. 犯人は--の方へ逃げました。 Hannin wa -- nohôe nigemashita.
My name is --. 私の名前は--です。 Watashi no namae wa -- desu.
My phone number is --. 私の電話番号は--です。 Watashi no denwabangô wa -- desu.

119 (Fire, Ambulance, Emergency rescue)

119 Procedure

Call 119 to call the fire department or for an ambulance. You will be asked the questions below;

  1. Is it a fire or an emergency patient?
  2. Where is the fire/patient?
  3. What is the cause of a fire?
  4. What is burning?
  5. What symptoms does the patient have?
  6. Your name, address and phone number

119 Japanese

English Phrase Japanese Translation Pronunciation
There is a fire. 火事です。 Kaji desu.
Please send me an ambulance. 救急車をお願いします。 Kyûkyûsya o onegai shimasu.
There is an injured person. けがをしている人がいます。 Kega o shiteiru hito ga imasu.
An office building is burning. ビルが燃えています。 Biru ga moete imasu.
It is the building near from --. --の近くのビルです。 -- no chikaku no biru desu.

171 (Safety Confirmation During Earthquake/Disaster)

171 Procedure for leaving a message to confirm your safety

  1. Dial 171.
  2. Press 1 after a voice guidance.
  3. Enter your phone number.
  4. Register your message in 30 seconds, after a beep.

171 Procedure for listening to a message to confirm one’s safety

  1. Dial 171.
  2. Press 2 after a voice guidance.
  3. Enter the phone number of the person you are seeking safety confirmation from.

171 Japanese

English Phrase Japanese Translation Pronunciation
I am OK. 私は無事です。 Watashi wa buji desu.
I evacuated to --. --に避難しています。 -- ni hinan shite imasu.
I urgently need --. --が必要です。 -- ga hitsuyou desu.
I will call you soon. また連絡します。 Mata renraku shimasu.

Examples of calling

examples-phonecall

Calmly describe the situation!

In case of a robbery (calling 110)

警察です。ご用件は事件ですか、事故ですか。(This is police. Are you calling us for an incident or an accident? "Kêsatsu desu. Goyôken wa jiken desuka, jiko desuka?")
事件がありました。強盗です(There was an incident. That was a robbery. "Jiken ga arimashita. Gôtô desu.")

場所はどこですか。(Where did the incident occur? "Basho wa doko desuka?")
場所は、新宿○番地 です。(The ○, Shinjuku. "Basho wa Shinjuku ○banchi desu.")

犯人はどのような格好をしていましたか。(How did it look like the clothing of the criminal? "Hannin wa donoyôna kakkô o shiteimashita ka?")
犯人は黒い服を着ていました。(The criminal wears black. "Hannin wa kuroi fukuo kiteimashita.")

犯人はどちらに逃げましたか。(In what direction did the criminal run away? "Hannin wa dochirani nigemashitaka?")
犯人は 大久保駅の方に逃げました。(He ran in the direction of Ôkubo station. "Hannin wa Ôkuboeki no hôni nigemashita.")

分かりました。では、あなたのお名前と電話番号を教えてください。(Okay. Can you tell me your name and phone number? "Wakarimashita. Anata no onamae to denwabangô o oshiete kudasai.")
私の名前は My name is ”Watashi no namae wa”電話番号は My number is...00-00-00です。(My name is Teddy, and my phone number is 00-00-00. "Watashi no namae wa Teddy, denwabangô wa 00-00-00 desu.")

In case of a fire (calling 119)

消防です。ご用件は火事ですか、救急ですか?(Hello, this is fire station. Are you calling us for a fire truck or an emergency patient? "Shôbô desu. Goyôken wa kaji desuka, kyûkyû desuka?")
火事です。(For a fire "Kaji desu.")

場所はどこですか。(Where are you? "Basho wa doko desuka?")
場所は 日本橋です。(I am at Nihonbashi. "Basho wa Nihonbashi desu.")

何が燃えていますか。(What is burning? "Nani ga moete imasuka?")
ホテル(hoteru)が燃えています。(A hotel. "Hoteru ga moete imasu.")

近くに何か大きな建物はありますか。(Is there any tall building near there? "Chikaku ni nanika ôkina tatemono wa arimasuka?")
近くに ABC 銀行のビル があります。(Yes, there is a building of ABC bank nearby."Chikaku ni ABC Ginkô no biru ga arimasu.")

分かりました。すぐに向かいます。あなたのお名前と電話番号を教えてください。(Okay. We will get there immediately. Can you tell me your name and phone number? "Wakarimashita. Suguni mukaimasu. Anata no onamae to denwabangô o oshiete kudasai.")
私の名前は Teddy 電話番号は 00-00-00 です。(My name is Teddy, and my phone number is 00-00-00. "Watashi no namae wa __, denwabangô wa 00-00-00 desu.")

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