Support for Foreign Resident > Emergency

Police (Keisatsu)
For police, dial 110 (No area code)
110 connects you to the nearest police dispatch center.
All public phones have a red button for free 110 calls.
You need to report what happened and the location.
Speak slowly and loudly, and repeat at least three times what you said.
A police car should arrive at the location in 5 minutes.

Police box (Koban)
There should be a koban in your neighborhood.
A police person is assigned there to take care of matters in the neighborhood.
Kobans are scattered in cities in addition to regional police stations. It may be wise to acquaint yourself with your koban as you moveto a new location.

Fire (Kaji)
To report a fire, dial 119 (No area code)
Speak slowly and loudly, and repeat what you want to say three times . First, say,"fire"(Kaji) as 119 is for both fire and ambulance.

Ambulance (Kyukyusha)
For ambulance, dial 119 (No area code)
Tell the operator you need an ambulance (Kyukyusha)

4. Earthquake (Jishin)
Do not panic. Earthquakes are a part of daily life in Japan. They usually last no longer than 10 seconds.

Step1) Turn off gas
Turn off all the gas around you as soon as you feel tremors.

Step2) Protect yourself
Duck under a strong table. This action protects you from fallen items.

Step3) Evacuation site
Be familiar with a designated evacuation site in your neighborhood. Parks and schoolyards are assigned for evacutation after initial tremors in case of a big earthquake.

Step4) Communicating during emergencies
It's wise to have a location (friends or relatives residence) outside of the region when you live to report on the status of family members in case of an emergency. NTT offers 171 service for emergency messages.

Step5) Emergency kit
In case of a big earthquake, you might have to survive for a week or so autside of your home. Try to prepare an emergency kit, as well as items of essential daily need such as water, rice, canned food portable stove, radio and so on.