Emergency Medical Care in Japan: A Foreigner's Complete Guide

A medical emergency in a foreign country is one of the most stressful situations any traveler can face. In Japan, the good news is that emergency medical care is well-organized, ambulance service is free, and hospitals are legally required to treat you regardless of your nationality or insurance status.

Here's everything you need to know — before you need it.

Emergency Numbers You Need to Know

Save these in your phone right now:

How to Call 119 (Ambulance)

When you call 119:

1. Say "kyuukyuu desu" (救急です) — meaning "It's a medical emergency"
1. The operator will ask: "Where are you?" — Give the address or nearest landmark
1. They will ask: "What happened?" — Describe the situation
1. They will ask: "Who is the patient?" — Give name, age, gender
1. They will ask: "What is your phone number?"

If you can't speak Japanese:

• Stay on the line — some dispatch centers have English operators
• Say "English please"
• Use a bystander or hotel staff to communicate
• The operator can trace your location from your phone

#7119: The Medical Advice Hotline

Not sure if your situation is an emergency? Call #7119 first.

Available in: Tokyo, Osaka, Nara, Fukuoka, and expanding to other areas.

Trained nurses will:

• Assess your symptoms
• Advise whether you need an ambulance
• Tell you where to find an open hospital
• Some locations offer multilingual support

When to Call an Ambulance vs. Go to the ER

Call 119 Immediately

• Chest pain or pressure
• Difficulty breathing
• Signs of stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty)
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe bleeding that won't stop
• Suspected broken bones (inability to move)
• High fever with confusion or stiff neck
• Seizures
• Severe burns

Go to the ER Yourself

• High fever (without confusion)
• Vomiting/diarrhea without severe dehydration
• Cuts that need stitches but aren't life-threatening
• Sprains and minor fractures
• Severe tooth pain
• Eye injuries (non-chemical)

Visit a Clinic or Pharmacy

• Common cold or flu symptoms
• Mild stomach issues
• Skin rashes
• Minor headaches
• Allergies (non-severe)

Ambulance Service: It's Free

Japan's ambulance service is completely free of charge. There is no bill for the ambulance transport itself, regardless of:

• Your nationality
• Your insurance status
• The distance traveled
• The time of day

However, keep in mind:

• You cannot choose which hospital the ambulance takes you to
• The ambulance crew will find the nearest available hospital with appropriate capabilities
• Average response time is 8-9 minutes nationwide

What Happens at the Emergency Room

Step 1: Triage

Upon arrival, a nurse will assess the severity of your condition:

• Red (Critical): Immediate treatment
• Yellow (Urgent): Treatment within 30 minutes
• Green (Non-urgent): May wait 1-3 hours

Step 2: Treatment

• You'll be examined by an ER doctor
• Tests may be ordered (blood work, CT scan, X-ray)
• Treatment will begin immediately for critical conditions
• An interpreter may be available at larger hospitals — ask

Step 3: Admission or Discharge

After treatment:

• Discharged: You'll receive a prescription and follow-up instructions
• Admitted: You'll be moved to a hospital ward for further treatment

Step 4: Payment

• For emergencies, treatment comes first — payment is settled later
• You may be asked to pay before discharge
• If you can't pay immediately, the hospital will work with you on a payment plan
• Keep all receipts for insurance claims

ER Costs for Uninsured Patients