Call first
Emergency numbers
Ambulance & Fire
Call for any medical emergency. Works for both ambulance and fire. Operators may not speak English — key phrases are below.
Police
Call for accidents, crimes, or situations requiring police. Translation available 24 hours via 110.
AMDA Medical Interpreter
Free English interpretation service. Helps you communicate at a clinic or hospital. Available Mon–Fri.
Not for emergencies — call 119 first
When you call 119
What to say
Stay calm and stay on the line
Do not hang up until the operator tells you to. Speak slowly and clearly.
Say it is an emergency
Ask if they speak English
Give your location
Have your full address written down in advance. Say it slowly.
Describe what happened
The operator will ask this. Use the phrases below to respond.
Give your name and phone number
Where to go
English-friendly ERs in Tokyo
Communication
Key emergency phrases
| English | Japanese | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| Please call an ambulance | 救急車をよんでください | Kyukyusha o yonde kudasai |
| This is an emergency | 救急です | Kyukyu desu |
| Please help me | 助けてください | Tasukete kudasai |
| I feel unwell | 体の調子が悪いです | Karada no choshi ga warui desu |
| I am at __ (location) | 今＿＿にいます | Ima __ ni imasu |
| Do you speak English? | 英語を話せますか？ | Eigo wo hanasemasu ka? |
| Please take me to the hospital | 病院に連れて行ってください | Byoin ni tsurete itte kudasai |
| I have chest pain | 胸が痛いです | Mune ga itai desu |
| I cannot breathe | 息が苦しいです | Iki ga kurushii desu |
| I am unconscious / fainted | 意識がありません | Ishiki ga arimasen |
| I am allergic to __ | ＿＿にアレルギーがあります | __ ni arerugii ga arimasu |
| My name is __ | 私の名前は＿＿です | Watashi no namae wa __ desu |
| My phone number is __ | 電話番号は＿＿です | Denwa bango wa __ desu |
Be prepared
Tips for handling an emergency in Japan
Write your home address in Japanese and keep it on your phone. Giving your address clearly is the most important part of a 119 call.
Save 119, 110, and the AMDA number (03-6233-9266) in your phone contacts right now — before you need them.
Never hang up during a 119 call. Even if you cannot communicate, stay on the line until the operator ends the call.
If the 119 operator does not speak English, say slowly: "Eigo wo hanasemasu ka?" They will try to connect you to an interpreter.
Take a photo of this page and the emergency card below. Screenshots are accessible even without internet.
If you have chronic conditions or take regular medication, carry a written summary in Japanese to give to emergency staff.
-9266AMDA (interpreter)
Keep it with you at all times.
Print this card and keep it in your wallet, or screenshot it and save it to your phone's camera roll so it is accessible without internet. It takes 10 seconds and could make a critical difference.