Emergency
Three numbers, five situations and six phrases. Read the line that matches what is happening and act on it.
Ambulance and fire
Free from any phone. Say your location first; say 'English please' and wait — interpretation is available.
Police
Crime, accidents, theft. For non-urgent lost property, go to a koban (police box) instead.
Police, non-emergency
Advice line for situations that aren't happening right now.
Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO)
24 hours, in English, Chinese and Korean: medical help, disasters, general trouble.
Call 119 and say 'kyuukyuu desu' (it's an emergency). Ambulances in Japan are free; you pay only for hospital treatment. Bring your passport and travel insurance details — most hospitals ask for payment on the day and you claim it back later.
Ask your hotel to call a nearby clinic, or use the JNTO medical institution search for facilities with English-speaking staff. Pharmacies handle minor issues, but Japanese over-the-counter medicine is milder than you may expect.
Report it at the nearest police box first and keep the report slip — your embassy will ask for it. Then contact your embassy or consulate in Tokyo, Osaka or Fukuoka for an emergency travel document.
Follow the Safety tips app and hotel staff. Indoors: stay away from windows, protect your head, do not run outside. Trains stop for safety and restart after inspection — that is normal, not a crisis.
A koban will help you get home safely; that is part of their job. Otherwise a taxi, a 24-hour café or a capsule hotel near the station will cover the night.
Please help me
助けてください
Tasukete kudasai
It's an emergency
救急です
Kyuukyuu desu
I need a doctor
医者が必要です
Isha ga hitsuyou desu
Call the police, please
警察を呼んでください
Keisatsu o yonde kudasai
I lost my passport
パスポートをなくしました
Pasupooto o nakushimashita
I'm allergic to ___
___アレルギーがあります
___ arerugii ga arimasu
Emergency, health and legal information changes. Confirm anything critical with your embassy or an official Japanese source before acting on it.