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Emergency Numbers & How to Use Them

emergency Last updated: 2024-12-12

Complete guide to emergency services in Japan including police, fire, and ambulance. Includes what to say in Japanese.

🗣️ Key Vocabulary

警察 Police けいさつ keisatsu
救急車 Ambulance きゅうきゅうしゃ kyūkyūsha
消防 Fire department しょうぼう shōbō
事故 Accident じこ jiko
泥棒 Thief/burglar どろぼう dorobō
火事 Fire かじ kaji
助けて Help! たすけて tasukete

The Three Emergency Numbers

Japan has three main emergency numbers. Unlike some countries, they are staffed 24/7 and dispatchers may have limited English ability.

110 — Police (Keisatsu) For crimes, accidents, or suspicious activity. Response time in Osaka is typically 5-10 minutes.

119 — Fire & Ambulance Same number for both services. Tell them which you need: "Kyūkyūsha" for ambulance, "Kaji" for fire.

118 — Coast Guard For maritime emergencies only.

Calling an Ambulance (119)

When you call 119, the dispatcher will ask several questions. Here is the typical flow:

Step 1: They answer: "119, fire or ambulance?"

Tell them you need an ambulance.

💬 What to Say

救急車をお願いします
Kyūkyūsha wo onegai shimasu
Ambulance, please

Step 2: They ask: "What is your location?"

Give your address. If you don't know, describe landmarks or use your phone GPS.

💬 What to Say

住所は〇〇です
Jūsho wa [address] desu
The address is [address]

Step 3: They ask: "What happened?"

Briefly describe the emergency.

💬 What to Say

意識がありません / 息ができません / 大量の出血があります
Ishiki ga arimasen / Iki ga dekimasen / Tairyō no shukketsu ga arimasu
Unconscious / Can't breathe / Heavy bleeding

Step 4: They ask: "Patient details"

Age, gender, and your name/phone number.

💬 What to Say

〇〇歳の男性/女性です。私は〇〇です。
[Age]-sai no dansei/josei desu. Watashi wa [name] desu.
A [age]-year-old man/woman. I am [name].

Calling the Police (110)

Police response for crimes, traffic accidents, or suspicious activity:

Step 1: They answer: "110, what is your emergency?"

State what happened clearly.

💬 What to Say

泥棒です / 事故です / 不審者がいます
Dorobō desu / Jiko desu / Fushinsha ga imasu
There's a thief / There's been an accident / There's a suspicious person

Step 2: Give your location

Same as ambulance — address or landmarks.

Step 3: Request English support if needed

Police can connect to interpretation services.

💬 What to Say

英語の通訳をお願いします
Eigo no tsūyaku wo onegai shimasu
English interpreter, please

Non-Emergency Resources

Not every situation needs 110 or 119:

#9110 — Police Consultation For non-urgent police matters, noise complaints, general questions.

#7119 — Medical Consultation Available in some areas. Nurses advise whether you need an ambulance or can go to a clinic.

Osaka City Foreign Residents Hotline 06-6773-6533 (Multilingual, weekdays 9:00-17:30)

✅ Checklist

🔗 Resources