Emergency Contacts & Calling an Ambulance in Japan: What Every Foreign Parent Needs to Know

May 30, 2026 Maternity Prep Navigator Editorial ~10 min read

Japan has a well-organized emergency services system, but the language barrier can make it feel daunting when something unexpected happens during pregnancy or after your baby arrives. This guide explains the key emergency numbers, how to call an ambulance step by step, useful Japanese phrases to have ready, and what to do in maternity-specific emergencies. Take a few minutes to read this before you need it — and keep the numbers somewhere easy to find.

1. Japan's Emergency Numbers at a Glance

When in doubt about whether something is a true emergency, call 119. Operators are trained to assess the situation and dispatch appropriately. Calling 119 for a genuine concern is always appropriate — do not let language uncertainty delay a call that could be urgent.

2. How to Call 119: Step by Step

Calling 119 in Japan works similarly to calling an ambulance in other countries, with a few points worth knowing in advance.

What happens when you call 119

1. The operator answers and asks: "Fire or ambulance?" (火事ですか、救急ですか — Kaji desu ka, kyukyu desu ka?)
   Say: "Kyukyu desu" (救急です) — "It's an ambulance [emergency]."
   Or simply say: "Ambulance, please." Many dispatch centers, especially in major cities, have immediate access to English-speaking operators or telephone interpreter services.
2. Give your location. This is the most critical piece of information. Provide your full address including city/ward, block number, building name, and floor if applicable. If you do not know the address, describe nearby landmarks, the nearest train station, or read out any street signs you can see. In major cities, some dispatch centers can also locate mobile phones, but providing your address directly is faster and more reliable.
3. Describe the situation. The operator will ask about the patient's condition. Stay calm and answer as clearly as you can. Even basic information — "pregnant woman," "chest pain," "not breathing" — helps.
4. Stay on the line until told otherwise. The operator may guide you through first-aid steps while help is on the way. Do not hang up until the operator tells you it is safe to do so.
5. Go to the entrance of your building if possible, or send someone to guide the ambulance crew to your exact location.

Ambulance service in Japan is free of charge. You will not be billed for the ambulance vehicle or the crew's services. Medical treatment at the hospital once you arrive is charged separately and follows the standard health insurance system.

3. Key Japanese Phrases for Emergencies

Having these phrases ready — written down or on your phone — can help even if you are too stressed to recall them in the moment. The romanized pronunciation (romaji) is included for each.

Practical tip: Screenshot this table or save it as a note on your phone right now. Also write down your home address in Japanese and save it — this is the single most useful piece of information you can have ready during an emergency call.

4. #7119 — "Should I Call an Ambulance?" (Available in Some Areas)

In areas where it is available, #7119 (Kyukyu Anshin Center — 救急安心センター) is a telephone consultation service staffed by nurses and emergency specialists. You can call when you are unsure whether your situation requires an ambulance. The trained staff will assess your symptoms and advise whether you should call 119, go to a hospital urgently, or manage at home and see a doctor during regular hours.

The service is primarily conducted in Japanese. Multilingual support via the service varies by region. If you need urgent advice and are not confident communicating in Japanese, calling 119 directly is always appropriate — dispatchers are trained to handle uncertain situations.

#7119 is designed for adults (generally age 15 and over). For concerns about a child under 15, see #8000 below. The service does not guarantee dispatch and is not a replacement for 119 in a genuine emergency.

Source: Fire and Disaster Management Agency, #7119 overview page (fdma.go.jp).

5. #8000 — Children's Medical Phone Consultation (After Baby Arrives)

After your baby is born, #8000 (Kodomo Iryo Denwa Sodan — 子ども医療電話相談) is a nationwide phone consultation service for parents concerned about a child's sudden illness or injury outside of regular clinic hours — evenings, nights, and holidays.

When you call #8000, a nurse or pediatrician will give advice on whether the child's condition requires urgent hospital care or whether it can be managed at home until the next regular appointment. The consultation is free (standard call charges may apply depending on your phone plan).

6. Multilingual Support Services

AMDA International Medical Information Center

The AMDA International Medical Information Center (AMDA国際医療情報センター) provides multilingual telephone medical consultation and information services for foreign residents in Japan. The center offers guidance on finding appropriate medical facilities, understanding Japan's healthcare system, and basic medical consultation in several languages.

As of May 2026, the center's phone consultation service (03-6233-9266) is open 10:00 to 16:00 on weekdays (excluding national holidays and the year-end/new-year period Dec 29–Jan 3). Supported languages include English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Tagalog, and Thai, but the days of the week each language is available on vary and the lineup can change. Confirm the current hours, supported languages, and the daily language schedule on the official website (amdamedicalcenter.com) before calling.

AMDA's services are designed for non-urgent consultations — finding a hospital, understanding a diagnosis, or navigating the healthcare system. For urgent emergencies, call 119 first.

Telephone interpretation through 119

As described in Section 2, many 119 dispatch centers have access to telephone interpretation services. If the first operator who answers does not speak English, stay on the line and say "English please" — a three-way interpretation call can be connected while the ambulance is dispatched simultaneously. Do not hang up to find another number.

Your local international affairs office

Most prefectures and major cities operate an international affairs consultation service (国際交流協会 or similar) that can provide guidance on healthcare and emergency contacts in your language. These are not emergency services, but they are useful for preparing your personal emergency contacts list in advance and for non-urgent questions about local health services.

7. Maternity Emergencies: What to Do First

Situations that may require calling 119 directly

The following situations are generally considered to require urgent response. This list is not exhaustive, and any symptom that causes you serious concern warrants a call — either to your hospital or to 119. When in doubt, call.

• Heavy vaginal bleeding that does not stop
• Sudden, severe abdominal pain
• Suspected labor before 37 weeks (preterm labor)
• Sudden loss of fetal movement that concerns you
• Signs of preeclampsia: sudden severe headache, vision changes, severe swelling in face or hands, upper abdominal pain
• Difficulty breathing, chest pain, or signs of severe allergic reaction
• Suspected stroke: sudden weakness or numbness on one side, sudden severe headache, trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Loss of consciousness or fainting that does not quickly resolve

This list is for general awareness only. Your hospital's or midwife's guidance takes precedence. Always follow the instructions of your own healthcare provider.

When contractions begin or water breaks

In most cases, when regular contractions begin or your water breaks, the first step is to contact your maternity hospital's labor and delivery department directly, not to call 119. Your hospital will advise you when to come in based on contraction frequency, the nature of the amniotic fluid, and your individual pregnancy history. Follow their instructions.

Call 119 if: you cannot reach your hospital; the baby appears to be coming very rapidly and there is no time to travel; or there are additional emergency signs such as heavy bleeding or loss of consciousness.

8. Prepare Before Your Due Date

Taking these steps in advance — ideally from your third trimester onward — means you will not need to search for critical information during a stressful moment.

1. Save your hospital's emergency/labor line in your phone. Ask your midwife or doctor at your next appointment: "What number should I call if I have an emergency outside of appointment hours?" Write it in both your Maternity Health Handbook (boshi kenko techo) and your phone contacts.
2. Write your home address in Japanese and save it in your phone. This is what you will read out to the 119 dispatcher.
3. Know your current gestational week. Dispatchers and hospital staff will ask. Keep it updated in your phone's notes.
4. Check whether #7119 operates in your area by asking your city office or searching your prefecture's name plus "#7119." Save the local equivalent number if #7119 is not yet available.
5. Check your prefecture's #8000 hours once your baby arrives — keep the number saved and know when it operates in your area.
6. Share this information with your partner or support person. In an emergency, they may be the one making the call.

9. FAQ

Is there a charge for calling an ambulance in Japan?

No. Ambulance dispatch in Japan is a free public service. You will not be billed for the ambulance vehicle or crew. Once you arrive at the hospital, medical treatment is charged separately according to Japan's standard health insurance system.

What if I call 119 and no one speaks English?

Stay on the line. Say "English please" or "Eigo wo onegaishimasu" clearly. Most urban dispatch centers have immediate or near-immediate access to telephone interpretation services. The dispatcher will connect an interpreter while simultaneously dispatching help. Your location and the nature of the emergency are the priority — even if communication is imperfect, the dispatcher will dispatch.

I'm not sure if my situation is an emergency. Should I call 119?

If you are genuinely unsure and concerned, calling 119 is always appropriate. The dispatcher is trained to assess the situation and will advise you. If #7119 is available in your area, you can call that first for non-urgent advice. For obstetric concerns during pregnancy, your hospital's direct line is often the fastest route to appropriate advice.

Can I use 119 from a foreign SIM or a phone with no active contract?

In Japan, emergency calls to 119 and 110 can generally be made from mobile phones even without an active voice plan or a SIM card registered in Japan, as long as the phone has a cellular connection. However, exact behavior can vary by device and carrier — confirm this with your mobile carrier before your due date if you are relying on an overseas SIM.

My Japanese is very limited. What should I do in advance?

Prepare a printed or saved emergency card with your name, address (in Japanese), gestational week, blood type if known, your hospital's name and phone number, and any known allergies or medical conditions. Show it to emergency responders if verbal communication is difficult. Some foreign resident support organizations provide template emergency cards in multiple languages.

Is #7119 available 24 hours?

It depends on the region. Some areas offer 24-hour service; others operate only during evening and nighttime hours or on holidays. Check your specific area's hours through your city office or the Fire and Disaster Management Agency's information page. If #7119 is not operating when you need it, call 119 or your hospital directly.

10. Related Resources