General8 min read
Emergency Services in Japan: Police, Ambulance & Hospital Guide
Essential guide to emergency services in Japan for foreigners. Emergency numbers, how to call police/ambulance, hospital procedures, and multilingual support.
Published: 1/16/2026•Updated: 1/16/2026
Key Takeaways
- 110 = Police, 119 = Fire & Ambulance
- Ambulance is FREE in Japan
- Say 'Kyūkyū desu' for ambulance
- Bring insurance card and residence card
- Use translation apps at hospital
Emergency Numbers in Japan
Memorize These Numbers:
🚔 110 - Police (警察)
• Crimes, accidents, lost items
• Free from any phone 🚑 119 - Fire & Ambulance (消防・救急)
• Medical emergencies, fires
• Same number for both! 🆘 #7119 - Medical Advice Hotline
• Not sure if it's an emergency?
• Available in some areas 📱 From Mobile: Works without SIM card for emergencies
• Crimes, accidents, lost items
• Free from any phone 🚑 119 - Fire & Ambulance (消防・救急)
• Medical emergencies, fires
• Same number for both! 🆘 #7119 - Medical Advice Hotline
• Not sure if it's an emergency?
• Available in some areas 📱 From Mobile: Works without SIM card for emergencies
How to Call an Ambulance
When You Call 119:
1. Say: 「救急です」(Kyūkyū desu) = "Ambulance"
Or: 「火事です」(Kaji desu) = "Fire"
2. Give your location:
• Address or landmark
• Use Google Maps if needed 3. Describe the situation:
• What happened
• Patient's condition
• Age and gender English Support:
• Many dispatch centers have interpreters
• Say "English please" slowly
• Some areas: AMDA Medical Hotline 03-6233-9266
• Address or landmark
• Use Google Maps if needed 3. Describe the situation:
• What happened
• Patient's condition
• Age and gender English Support:
• Many dispatch centers have interpreters
• Say "English please" slowly
• Some areas: AMDA Medical Hotline 03-6233-9266
At the Hospital
What to Bring:
• Residence card / Passport
• Health insurance card
• Cash (some hospitals don't take cards)
• Your medications list Communication Tips:
• Use translation app (Google Translate camera mode)
• Point to body part that hurts
• Use simple words: "itai" (痛い = hurts) Multilingual Hospitals: Major cities have hospitals with English-speaking staff. Search "外国人対応病院" + your city.
• Residence card / Passport
• Health insurance card
• Cash (some hospitals don't take cards)
• Your medications list Communication Tips:
• Use translation app (Google Translate camera mode)
• Point to body part that hurts
• Use simple words: "itai" (痛い = hurts) Multilingual Hospitals: Major cities have hospitals with English-speaking staff. Search "外国人対応病院" + your city.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No! Ambulance service is FREE in Japan. However, you will pay for hospital treatment (covered 70% by insurance if enrolled).
Emergency dispatchers often have interpreter services. Speak slowly, say 'English please'. You can also use translation apps.
In emergencies, ambulances take you to the nearest appropriate hospital. For non-emergencies, you can choose, but check if they accept your insurance.
Last updated: January 16, 2026