Emergency numbers in Japan: 110 police, 119 ambulance and fire

In Japan, call 110 for the police and 119 for an ambulance or fire. Calls are free, and an interpreter can join the call. For help in English, Chinese or Korean at any hour, the Japan Visitor Hotline is 050-3816-2787.

The numbers

110	Police	Crime, a traffic accident, someone following you
119	Ambulance and fire	Injury, sudden illness, fire
118	Japan Coast Guard	Accidents at sea
#9110	Police advice line (not an emergency)	Worries you want to talk to the police about. Weekdays 8:30 to 17:15, anywhere in Japan
050-3816-2787	Japan Visitor Hotline	24 hours, every day. English, Chinese, Korean. Run by the Japan National Tourism Organization

Can I speak English on 110 and 119?

Yes. Every prefectural police force has officers who speak foreign languages in its 110 command room, and can add an interpreter to the call.

For 119, 673 of Japan's 720 fire departments use a telephone interpreting centre that joins the call in a three-way conversation. All of them cover English, Chinese and Korean; other languages depend on the department (Fire and Disaster Management Agency, 1 January 2025).

What to say first

On 110: “Jiken desu” (it is a crime) or “Jiko desu” (it is an accident). On 119: “Kyūkyū desu” (ambulance) or “Kaji desu” (fire).

Then say where you are: the station, a large building, or the name of the nearest koban. The map on this site shows the nearest koban by name.

If you are not in danger right now

For lost property, directions or a report after the event, walk into the nearest koban. For advice on stalking or other worries, call #9110 on weekdays.

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