This article is written by a Japanese local.
When encountering an emergency such as a crime, accident, or sudden illness while living in Japan, the very first action to take is an “emergency phone call.” However, Japan’s emergency numbers are separated by purpose, and accurately conveying your “current location” in an unfamiliar area while in a state of panic presents a highly difficult infrastructure challenge for foreigners.
To eliminate the fatal risks associated with delayed reporting, this article explains the objective practical procedures for distinguishing between the emergency numbers and utilizing Japan’s unique street infrastructure (vending machines and utility poles) to accurately communicate your location.
1. The Clear Boundary Between “110” and “119”
[Summary] Call “110” (Police) for crimes and traffic accidents, and “119” (Fire/Ambulance) for fires, sudden illness, or severe injuries. Using the wrong number causes arrival delays.
In Japan, you must use two different emergency dials depending on the objective.
- 110 (Police): Dial this for “crimes” (such as burglary, purse-snatching, or assault) and “traffic accidents.”
- 119 (Fire & Ambulance): Dial this for “fires” (burning buildings) and “medical emergencies” (when someone collapses or is severely injured and requires an ambulance).
If there are injured persons in a traffic accident, the objective practical rule is to first call 119 to dispatch an ambulance, and immediately afterward call 110 to notify the police.
2. Location Confirmation Defense: Utilizing Vending Machines and Utility Poles
[Summary] If you do not know your current address, read the address sticker attached to a nearby “vending machine” or the address plate on a “utility pole.”
The most important and difficult part of an emergency call is conveying “where you are right now.” While smartphone GPS functions are effective, there is a unique Japanese infrastructure technique to instantly communicate your exact location verbally.
The beverage “vending machines” (Jidohanbaiki) installed limitlessly across Japanese streets are strictly required to have a sticker displaying their exact address (down to the block number). Furthermore, “utility poles” (Denchu) along the roads have plates indicating the town name and block number. The most reliable defensive procedure for pinpointing your location is to tell the operator, “I will read the address on the vending machine,” and read the Kanji and numbers exactly as written.
3. The “First Words” Immediately After Connecting
[Summary] If you cannot speak Japanese, clearly say “Police” or “Ambulance” in English immediately after the call connects.
When you dial 110, the operator will first ask in Japanese, “Jiken desuka, Jiko desuka?” (Is it a crime or an accident?). For 119, they will ask, “Kaji desuka, Kyukyu desuka?” (Is it a fire or a medical emergency?).
If you cannot answer in Japanese, panicking and explaining the situation in your native language is inefficient. As an objective practical procedure, clearly state the single English word “Police,” “Ambulance,” or “Fire.” This allows the operator to instantly initiate the dispatch of necessary vehicles while simultaneously transitioning to the procedure of connecting a multilingual interpretation line.
4. Practical Q&A (Call Charges and Ambulance Costs)
[Summary] Calls to 110 and 119 are completely free and can be made without unlocking your smartphone screen. Furthermore, ambulance transport (119) in Japan incurs absolutely no cost.
Q. Can I make an emergency call with a “data-only” SIM card?
A. You cannot dial 110 or 119 from a data-only SIM card (one without a voice calling number starting with 090, 080, etc.). In that situation, you must either ask a Japanese person nearby for help by saying “Hyaku-to-ban o onegaishimasu” (Please call 110), or find a public payphone, press the red emergency button, and then dial. If your SIM has voice calling capabilities, the call is free.
Q. Will I receive a highly expensive bill later if I call an ambulance?
A. In Japan, the act of calling an ambulance (119) and being transported to the hospital is completely “free.” You only pay the health insurance-covered medical fees for the treatment and medication you receive after arriving at the hospital. The risk of “hesitating to call because the ambulance dispatch fee is too high” (common in other countries) does not exist here. If you feel your life is in danger, dial 119 without hesitation.
Conclusion: Strictly Memorize the Numbers and Utilize the Infrastructure
In an emergency, a delay of a few seconds can lead to fatal consequences. Execute an objective roadmap immediately after arriving: memorize the fact that “Police is 110, Ambulance is 119,” and thoroughly implement Japan’s unique infrastructure tactic of “finding a vending machine or utility pole” when you do not know your current location.