How do I make emergency phone calls?

Carly Bode, International Affairs Division

The Emergency phone numbers are

  • DIAL 110 (Police) in case of Theft, Crime, Traffic accidents, etc.
  • DIAL 119 (Ambulance, Fire station) in case of Fire, Sudden illness, Serious injury, etc.

When making Emergency phone calls:

  • From a Public Phone (Do not use coins!)
    * When using a green public phone, pick up the receiver, push the red button, and then dial the relevant emergency number.
    * When using a grey public phone, pick up the receiver then dial the relevant emergency number.
  • Mobile phones can be used for emergency calls.


Example scripts for using 119

What should I say in the event of a fire?

  • Fire! I am at (address), (number). My name is (name):
    * Kajidesu! Basho wa (address) machi, (number) ban, (room number) go desu. (Describe something burning) ga moete imasu. Watashi no namae wa (name) desu.

What should I say in case of emergency medical care and serious injury

  • Kyubyo: sudden illness, Okega: serious injury
  • I have a (sudden illness/serious injury). I am at (address), (town), (number). My name is ( )
    * (Kyubyo / Okega) desu! Basho wa (address) (town) machi (number) ban, (room number) go desu. Watashi no namae wa (your name) desu.

When calling 119 for an ambulance if anyone needs immediate hospital treatment or is seriously injured, provide the following information calmly.
* Type of emergency (not fire)
* Address
* Details of emergency; medical care or injury
* Number of patients, sex, age (adult, child, infant)
* Degree of sickness or injury.
* Do not use an ambulance when the sickness or injury is not serious