Emergency Services
Emergencies can occur anywhere, at any time, so being prepared is essential. Japan's emergency services are a model of efficiency and preparedness. With a swift response time, well-equipped personnel, and advanced technology, these services encompass police, fire, and medical assistance.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
As a tourist in a non-English speaking country, it’s important to remain vigilant and familiar with your surroundings and travel with your passport on your person for quick and easy identification in an emergency situation.
Should you need to contact emergency services, ensure you speak slowly and clearly, most people in Japan speak a little bit of English, so this may be all it takes to get the assistance you need, however if you find you’re still unable to communicate, 'eigo dake’ means simply, ‘only English’. If the resources are available, this phrase will get you patched through to an English-speaking representative. If language persists as a barrier, ask hotel staff or bystanders for assistance with translating.
POLICE 24/7 - 110
Dial 110 for immediate police assistance.
FIRE AND AMBULANCE 24/7 - 119
Dial 119 for fire, medical emergencies, or ambulance services.
NON-EMERGENCY SERVICES
It’s important to note, that most travel insurance companies offer a 24/7 emergency support number. It's crucial to source and save this number prior to embarking on your travels, as a back-up option in potential emergencies, but also for any non-urgent situations. This ensures correct handling of the situation for insurance purposes and bypasses potential language barriers encountered with local services.
NON EMERGENCY POLICE 24/7
Dial #9110 for police assistance in reporting non-urgent crimes.
NON EMERGENCY POLICE (ENGLISH) 8:30am -5:15pm Monday to Friday
Dial 03-3503-8484 to request advice on non-emergency situations or to report cases of theft, accident, or non-emergency situations for insurance purposes.
NON EMERGENCY MEDICAL 24/7
Dial #7118 to speak to nurses, doctors or specialists when you are unsure whether to call an ambulance due to sudden illness or injury.
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE 24/7
Dial #8139 for JAF roadside assistance if experiencing car or motorbike troubles.
JNTO 46 HOUR JAPAN VISITOR HOTLINE
Dial 050-3816-2787 for Support & assistance during emergencies (accident, illness etc.) or natural disasters, or just for general tourist information
LOST AND FOUND
Dial 0570-550-142 to be connected to Japans Lost and Found network if you need assistance locating items lost during your travels
TOKYO INTERNATIONAL EMBASSY’S
If you need to contact their embassy in Japan for emergencies such as lost or stolen passports, legal trouble or arrest, serious medical issues, natural disasters, being a victim of crime, financial emergencies, or if a loved one goes missing. Embassies can provide support, advice, and help coordinate with local authorities when unexpected situations arise.
Australian Embassy: Dial 0352-324-111
US Embassy: Dial 0332-245-000
British Embassy: Dial 0352-111-100
EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
Japan is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, and you’ll likely feel very small ones during your travels, however occasionally, earthquakes of higher magnitudes do occur. The country has well-prepared infrastructure and protocols for handling such events, but there are some things you should know, and precautions you should take in order to be prepared for the unlikely event that you’re caught in a large magnitude quake.
Download The Safety Tips app by JNTO. It’s a useful resource for travelers as it provides real-time earthquake information and safety alerts in English, and offering guidance on what to do during and after an earthquake. It's particularly beneficial for tourists without a Japanese phone number to receive early warnings and stay updated on safety measures during their stay in Japan.
If indoors, drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, protect your head, and hold on until the shaking stops. If outside, move to an open area away from buildings, trees, and power lines, protect your head and neck from falling debris. If in a public place, follow instructions from local authorities and emergency services. Be prepared to evacuate if necessary. If near the coast, immediately find higher ground after the shaking has stopped and remain there until you have been notified that there is no tsunami risk.
Since earthquakes are a regular occurrence in Japan, you’ll commonly find flashlights in case of a power outage, and sometimes even small first aid or emergency kits in your hotel rooms. It’s a good idea to know where they are in case of emergency.
