Japan Emergency Contacts: How to Call 119, 110 & Ambulance (Multilingual)
- Knowing key emergency contacts in advance is important so you can act even with a language barrier.
- Explains the main emergency contacts (119 for fire and ambulance, 110 for police) and basic phrases to use on the phone.
- Also introduces the steps for calling an ambulance and consultation counters for foreign residents.
Knowing emergency procedures in advance is crucial, even with a language barrier.
① Key Emergency Numbers
- 🚒 119: Fire & Ambulance
- 🚔 110: Police (crime, accidents)
- 📞 #7119: Emergency consultation (unsure if ambulance is needed)
② Calling 119 (Ambulance)
- "Kyūkyū desu" → ambulance
- "Jūsho wa [your address] desu" → give address
③ Steps to Call an Ambulance
- Call 119
- Say "Kyūkyū desu" (emergency)
- Give address, symptoms, patient's age
- Follow instructions and stay with the patient until help arrives
See also: Emergency & Urgent Care in Japan. For disaster preparedness, see our Disaster Preparedness Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 119 even if I don't speak Japanese?Yes, you can. Once connected, say something like 'Please connect me to an interpreter in [language]' and you'll be transferred to an interpreter. Many areas have 24-hour three-way interpreting available.
Is calling an ambulance in Japan free?The ambulance itself is free to use. You will only be responsible for the medical examination and treatment costs afterward (health insurance can be used for these).
When should I call #7119?Call it when you're unsure whether you should call an ambulance - a specialist will help assess the level of urgency.
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