Japanese police are very reliable. If you are questioned by the police, please be respectful and cooperate even if you think you have not done anything wrong or feel you are being treated unfairly.
In the event of an emergency, please call your host family and AFS in the following order.
1) Your host family
2) Local AFS volunteer (Your LP or Chapter President)
3) AFS Japan National Office
09:00-17:00: 03-6206-1914
After 17:00, Weekends, Holidays: 090-4540-5180 (AFS Staff Duty Officer)
4) Your host school (teacher or advisor)
119 Fire & ambulance (generally in Japanese)
For your reference, please visit the website below:
Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA)
White Paper (2019) Section 2: Improving access to 119 service for foreigners and the disabled (in Japanese)
Guide for Ambulance Services (FDMA, English)
110 Police (foreign languages OK)
171 Disaster Emergency Message service
Coins are not required.
Lift the receiver and dial 110 or 119. If the phone has a red button, press that first and then dial 110 or 119.
Image of Green public telephones
In case of a fire, serious illness or serious injury (including injuries caused in a traffic accident), dial 119. In Japan, the ambulance service is free of charge when called for valid reasons, so if there’s a serious situation, don’t hesitate. When the operator answers, give the following information.
Say which service you need.
In case of a fire, say “Kaji desu”
If you need an ambulance, say “Kyuukyuusha desu”
Your location, name, & phone number
“Juusho wa xx desu” (my location is xx)
“Namae wa xx desu” (my name is xx)
“Denwa bangoo wa xxx-xxx-xxxx desu” (my phone number is xxx-xxx-xxxx)
*If using a public phone, say the number of the phone.
If you don’t know the exact address, identify a nearby landmark: “Chikaku ni (landmark) ga arimasu.” (Nearby there is a xx)
Describe the situation.
For an ambulance:
“Kega nin ga imasu” (someone is injured)
“Kyuubyoo desu” (someone is seriously ill)
“Hito ga taorete imasu” (someone has collapsed)
When the fire engine/ambulance comes, wave your arms or shout so they know where to go.
If you witness or are the victim of a crime or injury, or are involved in a traffic accident, contact the police immediately by calling 110. (foreign languages are OK)
Describe what has happened.
“Doroboo desu” (I have been robbed)
“Kenka desu” (People are fighting)
“Kootsuu jiko desu” (it’s a traffic accident)
Your location, name & phone number
“Juusho wa xx desu” (my location is xx)
“Namae wa xx desu” (my name is xx)
“Denwa bangoo wa xxx-xxx-xxxx desu” (my phone number is xxx-xxx-xxxx)
*If using a public phone, say the number of the phone.
If you don’t know the exact address, identify a nearby landmark. “Chikaku ni (landmark) ga arimasu.” (Nearby there is a xx)
If there are injured people, say “Kega-nin ga imasu” and the police will call an ambulance.
If you are involved in a traffic accident, make sure you do the following things.
Ask people nearby to call the police (if there are injured people, an ambulance too）
You should be examined by a physician regardless of your condition (even if you don’t have any visible injuries)
If you are unable to contact the police, ask people nearby to help you reach your host family or LP. Go with your host family or LP to the police station to report the accident. Under the Japanese law, a driver in an accident is required to report it to the police. But because some people do not do it, you may have to report the accident. Also be sure to get a copy of the police report and keep it for compensation negotiations.
Get the name, address and phone number of the driver and the car owner.
Get the name, address and phone number of the insurance company and insurance agent of the driver and the car owner.
Do not sign any agreement with the driver/vehicle owner without your sending parents’ authorization.
Please read “Basic Operation Method for Disaster Emergency Message Dial (171) ” in the Reference.
Some areas have three-way simultaneous interpretation, NET119 Emergency Call System, and multilingual voice translation apps. Please check what is available in your area and make use of these as well.