In a real emergency, the last thing you want is to be fumbling for a number or worrying about your Japanese. The good news: Tokyo's emergency system works for foreigners, interpreters are often available, and there are really only two numbers you need to memorize. This guide walks you through who to call, what to say, and the calmer non-emergency lines for when you're just not sure. Read it once now, so it's already in your head when it counts.
The two numbers to memorize
- 110 — Police. Call this for a crime, theft, an accident, or anyone in danger.
- 119 — Fire AND ambulance. The same number covers both. When you call, say whether it's a fire (kaji) or a medical emergency (kyukyu).
- Calling an ambulance on 119 is free. You are not billed for the ride to the hospital, so never hesitate to call 119 if someone is seriously ill or injured.
- Both 110 and 119 work 24 hours a day, from any phone, with no area code.
What to say when you call
- 1State your emergency first: "police" / "fire" (kaji) / "ambulance" (kyukyu).
- 2Give your location — the address, a nearby landmark, station, or intersection. This is the single most important thing, so say it clearly.
- 3Say what happened and whether anyone is hurt.
- 4If you need English, say "English, please" and stay on the line — Tokyo's 119 offers three-way interpretation in English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish, and 110 can connect an interpreter too. It may take a moment, so do not hang up.
- 5Give your name and the phone number you're calling from.
Don't hang up while you wait for an interpreter. Connecting a translator can take a short moment on both 110 and 119 — staying on the line is what gets you help fastest. And if you can't speak (you're in danger, or it's noisy), still call 110: the police can trace and respond to a silent emergency call.
Not sure it's an emergency? Use these instead
- #7119 — Emergency medical consultation (Tokyo). Unsure whether to call an ambulance or go to a hospital? Nurses and doctors advise you 24/7. In Tokyo you can also dial 03-3212-2323 (23 wards) or 042-521-2323 (Tama area).
- #9110 — Police consultation for non-emergencies: stalking, fraud, lost items, or anything that isn't happening right now.
- Himawari medical guide (03-5285-8181) — find a clinic or hospital with foreign-language support, daily 9:00–20:00, in English, Chinese, Korean, Thai and Spanish.
- Japan Visitor Hotline (050-3816-2787) — JNTO's 24/7 multilingual line in English, Chinese and Korean for illness, disasters and general help.
- Save these in your phone now, alongside your home address written in Japanese — you'll be glad you did.
Getting help in your language. English and interpreter support IS available on the two emergency numbers and a few hotlines — but the Japanese-language consultation lines are not. Multilingual / interpreter help: 110 (police) and 119 (fire & ambulance) both provide three-way interpretation; the Japan Visitor Hotline 050-3816-2787 (JNTO, 24/7, English, Chinese, Korean); and Tokyo's Himawari medical information line (English, 中文, 한국어, Português, Español). Japanese first, English not guaranteed: #7119 (emergency medical consultation) and #9110 (police consultation) operate mainly in Japanese — for English-language police consultation in Tokyo, call the Metropolitan Police English line 03-3503-8484 instead.
Earthquakes and typhoons are a normal part of life in Tokyo, and your phone may struggle to connect right after a big quake. Keep these numbers written down somewhere offline, and read up on disaster preparedness before you need it — knowing where your nearest evacuation site is matters as much as any phone number.
- Is calling an ambulance really free?
- Yes. In Tokyo, the ambulance (119) and the ride to the hospital are free — you are not charged for the transport. You will still pay for the medical treatment you receive at the hospital, as normal. Never avoid calling 119 over cost.
- Can I get help in English when I call 110 or 119?
- Often, yes. Tokyo's 119 service offers three-way interpretation in several languages, and 110 can connect an interpreter — just say "English, please" and stay on the line. For non-urgent questions, the Japan Visitor Hotline and Himawari are built for multilingual help.
- What if I'm not sure whether to call an ambulance?
- Call #7119, Tokyo's emergency medical consultation line. A nurse or doctor will hear your situation and tell you whether you need an ambulance, can wait, or should see a clinic — 24 hours a day. It's there exactly so you don't have to guess.
