Knowing how to access Japan’s emergency services — ambulance, fire, police, hospitals, and pharmacies — is foundational to living here safely. This guide explains the numbers to call, what to expect, and how to navigate medical care in Japan as a foreign resident.
Emergency Numbers in Japan
- 119 — Fire and ambulance (消防・救急). Works from any phone, including foreign SIMs. Speak clearly: your address, what happened, whether anyone is injured. Tokyo Fire Department has English-speaking operators available 24/7. For other regions, say “English please” (イングリッシュ プリーズ).
- 110 — Police (警察). For crimes, accidents, suspicious activity. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) operates an English assistance line: 03-3501-0110 (weekdays 8:30–17:15). After hours, translation support via phone interpreter may be available through the duty officer.
- #7119 — Emergency medical consultation (救急安心センター事業). Available in Tokyo, Osaka, and many prefectures. Call to ask a nurse whether your situation requires an ambulance. Available in some areas with English support.
- 176 or 177 — Recorded weather information (typhoon/heavy rain warnings). 177 is precipitation forecast by JMA.
Calling an Ambulance (救急車)
Japan’s ambulance service is free to call — there is no charge for the ambulance itself, though emergency treatment fees at the hospital will apply under your health insurance. When calling 119, state: your address in Japanese if possible, the situation (traffic accident, sudden illness, fall, cardiac arrest, etc.), and the patient’s condition. Ambulances carry basic life support equipment. In major cities, response time is typically 8–12 minutes.
The #7119 consultation service (where available) is designed to reduce unnecessary ambulance use — if your situation is serious but not immediately life-threatening, the nurse can advise on appropriate urgency and direct you to the right hospital. This also works in your favor: ambulances transport you to an available accepting hospital, not necessarily the nearest or your preferred one.
Japan’s Hospital System
Japan has three tiers of emergency medical care:
- Primary emergency (一次救急) — clinics and hospitals for non-life-threatening conditions, typically open evenings and weekends on rotation
- Secondary emergency (二次救急) — hospitals that handle inpatient care and moderate emergencies; accept ambulances
- Tertiary / critical care (三次救急, 救命救急センター) — major hospitals with 24/7 critical care, trauma, and intensive care units
For non-emergencies, visit a clinic (クリニック or 診療所) for general illness, minor injuries, and prescription renewals. Clinics typically require advance appointment (予約). International clinics offer English-language consultations — Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and major cities have multiple options. Hospitals with international patient departments often provide interpreter services.
Using National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) at the Hospital
Japan’s national health insurance (NHI) covers 70% of standard medical costs for enrolled residents. Present your health insurance card (保険証) at reception. If you are enrolled in employer-managed insurance (社会保険), your card may look different but works the same way. Payment is required at discharge — have your insurance card and a method of payment (most hospitals accept cash; many accept IC cards and credit cards).
For after-hours emergencies, many hospitals charge a weekend/holiday surcharge. Keep your insurance card accessible — hospitals may deny non-emergency treatment to uninsured patients or require a deposit.
Finding a Hospital or Clinic
- Tokyo Medical Information Service (himawari.metro.tokyo.lg.jp) — English-language hospital search with current availability and languages spoken
- Amda International Medical Information Center (amdamedicalcenter.com) — phone consultation, hospital referral, multilingual
- Byoin Sagashi (byouin.me) — Japanese hospital search with specialty and hours
- Your ward office health counter (保健センター) — can provide local referrals and services
Pharmacies (薬局) and Over-the-Counter Medicine
Japan has two types of retail medicine outlets: dispensing pharmacies (調剤薬局) which fill prescriptions (処方箋) and sell OTC products, and drug stores (ドラッグストア) — Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Welcia, Tsuruha — which sell OTC medicine, supplements, and cosmetics but do not fill prescriptions without a separate dispensing section.
Prescription medicine in Japan requires a prescription from a Japanese licensed physician — foreign prescriptions are not directly accepted. For ongoing medications, establish care with a local doctor early to avoid gaps. Many common Western medications (certain antidepressants, stimulants for ADHD, codeine-containing products) are controlled or unavailable in Japan — research your specific medications before arriving.
OTC products for colds, fever, allergies, stomach issues, and pain relief are widely available. Consult a pharmacist (薬剤師) for guidance — they are licensed professionals. Many Matsumoto Kiyoshi locations have English-speaking staff in major cities.
Mental Health and Crisis Resources
- TELL Lifeline (telljp.com) — English-language mental health support and crisis counseling: 03-5774-0992
- AMDA International Medical Information Center — referrals to English-speaking mental health professionals
- Befrienders Japan — crisis support across multiple cities