In an emergency you will not have time to search. Save the numbers below in your phone today, and write the most important ones on a card you keep in your wallet in case your battery dies.
Core emergency numbers
- 110 — Police (警察). For crimes, accidents, and emergencies needing police. If you do not speak Japanese, say "English please" and they can connect you to an interpreter. Stay calm and give your location.
- 119 — Fire and Ambulance (消防・救急). The same number for both fires and medical emergencies. State clearly whether you need fire (火事) or ambulance (救急), give your address, and stay on the line — operators can trace your call and will guide you. Say "English please" for interpreter support. In the capital, the Tokyo Fire Department's English page explains how the service works.
- #7119 — Emergency medical consultation. Available in some prefectures (including Tokyo). Call when you are unsure whether a situation is a true emergency; a professional helps you decide whether to call an ambulance or visit a clinic.
- #9110 — Police consultation. The non-emergency police line for concerns, advice, and situations that are not immediate emergencies.
- 171 — Disaster Emergency Message Dial. During major disasters, dial 171 to record and play back short voice messages when normal phone lines are jammed. Free and nationwide.
English-language support lines
- TELL Lifeline — 03-5774-0992. Free, confidential English-language counseling and mental health support.
- Tokyo English Life Line (TELL) — 03-4550-1146. Telephone counseling in English for those in distress.
- AMDA International Medical Information Center. For medical questions, the AMDA center offers multilingual help finding hospitals and bridging the language gap with doctors.
Embassy contacts
Your embassy can help with lost passports, serious emergencies, and disaster guidance for citizens. The largest foreign communities in Japan come from the United States, China, South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brazil, Nepal, and the United Kingdom, among others.
Rather than risk an outdated number, look up your own embassy directly. Search "[your country] embassy Tokyo" to find the official site and current emergency contact line, then save it in your phone.
If you are a resident or traveler, also register with たびレジ (Tabireji) at tabireji.mofa.go.jp — Japan's system that helps embassies reach foreign nationals with safety information during disasters.
For residence-status questions such as a lost residence card or visa matters, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan is the official authority.
Calling tips for non-Japanese speakers
- Open with "English please" — interpreter support is widely available on the main lines.
- Have your address ready in Japanese if possible; a photo of your building's address saved on your phone helps enormously.
- Speak slowly and stay on the line until told you can hang up.