Tokyo Emergency and Trouble Guide

Emergency Phone Numbers

Memorize these. They work from any phone, including locked phones without a SIM.

Number	Service	When to call
110	Police (警察)	Crime, accident, serious trouble
119	Ambulance and Fire (救急・消防)	Medical emergency, fire
118	Coast Guard (海上保安庁)	Maritime emergencies
#7119	Medical consultation	Not sure if you need an ambulance
03-6233-9266	AMDA helpline	Multilingual medical assistance
0570-064-401	Japan Helpline (TELL)	English counseling, 24/7
0120-461-997	Tokyo Fire Dept. (English)	Medical emergency English support

When calling 110 or 119, the dispatcher may not speak English. Say your location clearly and slowly. Mobile phones with GPS will transmit your location automatically.

Lost or Stolen Passport

This is the most common serious problem for tourists. Act quickly.

Step 1: Search Thoroughly (First 30 Minutes)

Check hotel room safe, all bags, pockets, and the last places you visited. Ask at the hotel front desk, restaurants, and shops you recently visited. If you took a taxi, contact the taxi company.

Step 2: Report to Police

Go to the nearest police station (警察署 / keisatsusho) or police box (交番 / koban).

What to bring:

• Any remaining ID (driver’s license, credit card, photocopy of passport)
• Hotel name and address
• Description of where/when you lost it

You will receive a police report certificate with a case number (受理番号 / juuri bangou). Keep this — your embassy needs it.

Step 3: Contact Your Embassy

Do this the same day. Most embassies in Tokyo can issue an emergency travel document within 24-48 hours.

Key embassies in Tokyo:

Country	Phone	Location
United States	03-3224-5000	Akasaka
United Kingdom	03-5211-1100	Ichiban-cho
Australia	03-5232-4111	Mita
Canada	03-5412-6200	Akasaka
France	03-5798-6000	Minami-Azabu
Germany	03-5791-7700	Minami-Azabu
South Korea	03-3452-7611	Minami-Azabu
China	03-3403-3388	Motoazabu

You will need: police report number, passport photos (2x2 inches), any ID you have, proof of citizenship, and fee payment (varies by country).

Note: In Japan, foreign nationals are required to carry their passport at all times. The police report serves as a temporary substitute while you wait for a replacement.

Medical Emergencies

When to Call an Ambulance (119)

Call 119 for:

• Chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding
• Loss of consciousness, seizures
• Severe allergic reactions
• Serious injuries

When you call, say: “Kyukyusha onegaishimasu” (救急車お願いします / “Ambulance, please”). Give your location.

Ambulance service is free in Japan. However, the hospital will charge for treatment.

When to Visit a Hospital or Clinic

For non-emergencies (fever, minor injuries, stomach problems):

1. Call #7119 first for medical consultation (available in English in Tokyo).
2. Use the AMDA helpline (03-6233-9266) for multilingual medical referral.
3. Search for English-speaking clinics on Google Maps (“English clinic Tokyo”).

See How to Find a Hospital for a detailed guide.

Health Insurance

If you have travel insurance, bring your policy documents. Japan requires payment at the time of treatment — you pay first and claim reimbursement later. A typical clinic visit costs ¥5,000-10,000 without insurance. Emergency room visits are ¥30,000-100,000+.

Pharmacies (薬局 / yakkyoku) sell over-the-counter medicine. See How to Visit a Pharmacy for common medications.

Natural Disasters

Earthquakes (地震 / Jishin)

Japan experiences frequent earthquakes. Most are minor and you will barely notice them. For larger quakes:

1. Drop, cover, and hold on. Get under a table or desk. Protect your head.
2. Do not run outside during shaking — falling debris is the biggest danger.
3. After shaking stops, check for fires and open doors/windows to prevent them from jamming.
4. Check your phone — the J-Alert system sends warnings in English and Japanese automatically.
5. If near the coast after a strong quake, move to high ground immediately (tsunami risk).

The NHK World app provides real-time disaster information in English.

Typhoons (台風 / Taifu)

Typhoon season runs June through October. Trains may stop running during severe storms. Check train status on the operator’s website or app. Stay indoors, stock up on food and water in advance.

What to Do If Trains Stop

During natural disasters, trains often suspend service. Options:

• Wait at the station — service usually resumes within hours.
• Check train apps (NAVITIME, Google Maps) for alternative routes.
• Designated evacuation shelters (避難所 / hinanjo) open during major disasters.

Lost Items

Tokyo has one of the highest lost-item return rates in the world.

Lost on a Train

1. Report to the station office (駅事務室 / eki jimusitsu) immediately.
2. Describe the item, train line, time, and car number if possible.
3. Items are held at the station for 1-3 days, then transferred to a central lost and found office.
4. JR East lost and found inquiry: 050-2016-1601

Lost on the Street

1. Report to the nearest koban (交番 / police box). There is one near almost every major intersection.
2. File a lost property report (遺失届 / ishitsu todoke).
3. If someone found your item, it may already be at the koban.
4. After a few days, unclaimed items move to the Metropolitan Police Lost and Found Center (文京区の遺失物センター).

Lost in a Taxi

1. Get the receipt (always take the receipt when exiting a taxi — it has the company name and car number).
2. Call the taxi company directly.
3. If you do not have the receipt, report to the nearest koban. Tokyo taxi drivers routinely turn in found items.

Trouble with the Law

If You Are Stopped by Police

Foreign nationals may be asked to show their passport (residence card for residents). This is legal under Japanese law. Be polite, show your ID, and the interaction will likely be brief.

If You Need Legal Help

• TELL Japan Helpline: 0570-064-401 (English, 24/7)
• Legal Aid Japan (法テラス): 0570-078-377 (multilingual)
• Contact your embassy for referral to English-speaking lawyers.

Staying Connected During Emergencies

• NHK World (app or nhk.or.jp/world) — English news and disaster updates.
• Safety Tips app (by Japan Tourism Agency) — Disaster alerts in multiple languages.
• J-Alert — Automatic warnings sent to all phones in the affected area.
• Free Wi-Fi — During major disasters, Japan opens “00000JAPAN” free Wi-Fi at convenience stores and public facilities.

Troubleshooting

You do not speak Japanese and need help? Call the Japan Helpline (0570-064-401) for English support 24/7. Tourist Information Centers (TIC) at major stations also provide multilingual assistance.

Your credit card was stolen? Call your card company immediately to cancel. Then file a police report at the nearest koban. Major international card companies have Japan emergency numbers.

You are running out of money? Your embassy can help with emergency funds (not a gift — it is a loan). 7-Eleven ATMs accept most international cards and charge no withdrawal fee from their side.

You lost your phone? If you have Find My iPhone/Android, try locating it. Otherwise, report to the police. If lost on a train, it has a good chance of being turned in at a station.