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Japan Emergency Contacts: How to Call 119, 110 & Ambulance (Multilingual)

Published 2026.06.04 ・ Updated 2026.10.07 | Operated by MRI Co., Ltd. | Written & verified by Zainichi Life Navi Editorial Team (Editorial Policy)
📌 Key points
  • 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.
  • Notes that the #7119 consultation line is offered only in some regions.

Knowing emergency procedures in advance is crucial, even with a language barrier.

① Key Emergency Numbers

  • 🚒 119: Fire & Ambulance
  • 🚔 110: Police (crime, accidents)
  • 📞 #9110: Police consultation line (non-urgent matters)
  • 📞 #7119: Emergency consultation (unsure if ambulance is needed) — offered only in some regions (42 regions on the Fire and Disaster Management Agency's list); hours vary by area
⚠️ In a life-threatening emergency, call 119 or 110 right away.

② Calling 119 (Ambulance)

  • "Kyūkyū desu" → ambulance
  • "Jūsho wa [your address] desu" → give address
💡 Multilingual InterpreterAfter calling 119 or 110, say "English please" — an interpreter will be connected in many regions. According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, 673 of 720 fire departments nationwide had adopted 24/7 three-party interpreting for 119 calls as of January 1, 2025. The police likewise handle 110 calls from non-Japanese speakers by connecting an interpreter into the call.

③ Steps to Call an Ambulance

  1. Call 119
  2. Say "Kyūkyū desu" (emergency)
  3. Give address, symptoms, patient's age (you will also be asked for your name and phone number)
  4. Follow instructions and stay with the patient until help arrives

If 119 will not connect from a mobile phone, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency advises using a public phone, asking someone nearby to call for you, or going directly to the nearest fire station.

④ Consultation Services for Foreign Residents

  • Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC, Tokyo): consultation on residence procedures and related matters
  • Yorisoi Hotline: 0120-279-338 (free; for foreign languages press 2 after the opening guidance — daily 10:00–22:00; available languages vary by time of day)
  • Consumer Hotline: 188 (scams and consumer trouble; connects you to your local consumer affairs center)

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. The service is not available everywhere (the Fire and Disaster Management Agency lists 42 regions, and hours vary by area). In a life-threatening emergency, call 119 instead.

Sources

※Rules may change. Please check the official sites for the latest information.

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