Japanese Emergency Phrases — 20 Critical Sentences for Safety in Japan (2026)
Learn 20 essential Japanese emergency phrases for medical situations, theft, getting lost, and calling for help. Study before your trip — these phrases could save your life.
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Why Emergency Phrases Matter Most
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world — but emergencies still happen. Earthquakes, medical episodes, theft, getting lost in a rural area with no English signage. In a crisis, your brain reverts to its most practiced language. If you've drilled these phrases with audio before your trip, they'll surface when you need them. If you haven't, panic fills the gap.
These 20 phrases are the most important deck in this series. Memorize them before anything else.
Calling for Help
Japan's emergency numbers: 110 for police, 119 for ambulance and fire. Both lines have interpreter services available. These phrases let you communicate the situation immediately while help arrives.
助けてください！誰か警察を呼んでください！ — Help! Someone call the police!
急いでください、これは緊急です！ — Please hurry, this is an emergency!
この人がけがをしました、救急車を呼んでください！ — This person is hurt, please call an ambulance!
警察を呼んでください、盗まれました！ — Please call the police, I've been robbed!
火事です！みなさん避難してください！ — Fire! Everyone evacuate!
止まれ！泥棒です！ — Stop! Thief!
一番近い交番はどこですか？ — Where is the nearest police box?
Medical Emergencies
Japanese hospitals are excellent, but navigating them without any Japanese is stressful. These phrases help you communicate your condition and get treated faster.
気分が悪いです、近くに病院はありますか？ — I feel sick — is there a clinic nearby?
ここが痛いです、お腹です。 — It hurts here — my stomach.
痛いです、病院に連れて行ってください。 — I'm in pain, please take me to the hospital.
ピーナッツの重いアレルギーがあります。 — I have a severe peanut allergy.
頭痛の薬はありますか？ — Do you have medicine for headaches?
旅行保険はありますか？ — Do you have travel insurance?
Lost, Stolen & Communication
Losing your passport or wallet in Japan is stressful but manageable — the country has excellent lost-and-found systems and embassy support. These phrases get the right people involved quickly.
迷子になりました、この場所を探すのを手伝ってもらえますか？ — I'm lost — can you help me find this place?
バスの中で携帯を落し物をしました。 — I lost my phone on the bus.
電車で財布を盗まれました。 — My wallet was stolen on the train.
パスポートをなくしました、どうしたらいいですか？ — I lost my passport — what should I do?
すみません、日本語がうまく話せません。 — Sorry, I can't speak Japanese well.
ここに英語を話せる人はいますか？ — Is there anyone here who speaks English?
アメリカ大使館に電話してください。 — Please call the American embassy.
Emergency Tips for Japan
1. Save 110 and 119 in your phone before you land
110 is the police number. 119 is ambulance and fire. Both have interpreter services — you can say 英語を話せる人はいますか？ and they will connect you. Save both numbers before you get on the plane. In a real emergency, searching your phone costs precious seconds.
2. 交番 (koban) are everywhere and extremely helpful
Japan's neighborhood police boxes (交番) are staffed around the clock and are designed to help with exactly these situations — lost items, directions, suspicious activity, minor accidents. They're far more accessible than going to a full police station. 交番はどこですか？ will get you pointed in the right direction immediately.
3. Japan's lost-and-found system is remarkable
Items left on trains, in taxis, or in shops are returned at extraordinarily high rates. If you've lost something, report it to the nearest 交番 or train station lost-and-found (忘れ物センター) within a few hours. Wallets with cash inside are routinely turned in intact. Tell them 落し物をしました and describe the item.
4. Carry travel insurance documents and medication info
Japanese hospitals will ask 保険証はありますか？ immediately. Keep a photo of your travel insurance card and policy number on your phone. If you take prescription medication, carry a printed list of the generic names — brand names differ by country. For severe allergies, wearing a medical alert card in Japanese (アレルギーがあります) can be life-saving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How safe is Japan for tourists?
Japan consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world for tourists. Violent crime is rare, petty theft is uncommon compared to most major cities globally, and locals actively help lost or distressed visitors. That said, natural disasters — earthquakes, typhoons — are a real risk depending on the season. Register with your embassy's travel alert system before arriving.
What should I do if I lose my passport in Japan?
Go to the nearest 交番 first and file a police report — you'll need this document for your embassy. Then contact your country's embassy or consulate (大使館に電話してください) to arrange an emergency travel document. Most embassies in Tokyo can issue emergency passports within 1–3 business days.
Can Japanese hospitals treat foreigners without Japanese insurance?
Yes — Japanese hospitals treat emergency cases regardless of insurance status. You will be billed afterward, which is why travel insurance is strongly recommended. Costs can be high: a single night in a Japanese hospital can run ¥50,000–¥200,000+. Always say 旅行保険があります (I have travel insurance) to help the billing department.
Are there English-speaking doctors in Japan?
Major cities have hospitals with English-speaking staff — Tokyo's St. Luke's International Hospital and JMIP-certified clinics are well-known options. Outside major cities, English is scarce. The Japan Visitor Hotline (050-3816-2787) operates 24/7 and can provide medical interpreter assistance over the phone in real time.
Study These Phrases Before Anything Else
All 20 emergency phrases above are available as a ready-made deck in Onigiri Anki. Unlike restaurant vocabulary, these phrases work best when they're automatic — study them with native audio until you don't have to think.
