How do I separate PET bottles correctly in Shibuya-ku?

Remove the cap and label, rinse the bottle, and crush it flat. In Shibuya-ku, PET bottles are collected on the designated recycling day. Place them in a transparent or semi-transparent bag separate from other recyclables.

Best mobile carrier for foreigners in Japan with English support?

Ahamo by NTT Docomo is popular among foreigners because the app is available in English, plans start at 2,970 yen per month for 20GB, and no Japanese credit card is required. Other foreigner-friendly options include Rakuten Mobile and IIJmio.

How to open a bank account in Japan without a Japanese phone number?

Japan Post Bank (Yucho) is the most foreigner-friendly option. They accept applications with just your residence card and do not strictly require a Japanese phone number at all branches. Visit a larger post office branch for the best experience.

How do I separate PET bottles correctly in Shibuya-ku?

Remove the cap and label, rinse the bottle, and crush it flat. In Shibuya-ku, PET bottles are collected on the designated recycling day. Place them in a transparent or semi-transparent bag separate from other recyclables.

Best mobile carrier for foreigners in Japan with English support?

Ahamo by NTT Docomo is popular among foreigners because the app is available in English, plans start at 2,970 yen per month for 20GB, and no Japanese credit card is required. Other foreigner-friendly options include Rakuten Mobile and IIJmio.

How to open a bank account in Japan without a Japanese phone number?

Japan Post Bank (Yucho) is the most foreigner-friendly option. They accept applications with just your residence card and do not strictly require a Japanese phone number at all branches. Visit a larger post office branch for the best experience.

How do I call an ambulance in Japan if I don't speak Japanese?

Call 119 and say 'Kyuukyuusha onegaishimasu' (救急車お願いします - Please send an ambulance). If you can't speak Japanese, say 'English please' or stay on the line - many dispatch centers have translation services. You can also use the Japan Helpline (0570-064-065) for English support.

Is ambulance service free in Japan?

Yes, calling an ambulance (119) is completely free in Japan. However, you will be responsible for hospital treatment costs. Make sure you have health insurance (National Health Insurance or company insurance) which covers 70% of medical costs. Emergency rooms may require upfront payment if you don't have insurance.

What should I include on my emergency contact card?

Essential information includes: your full name (in English and Katakana), nationality, blood type, allergies, current medications, emergency contact name and phone number, health insurance number, and your address. Also include key Japanese phrases for emergencies.

What Japanese phrases are most important in a medical emergency?

Key phrases: 'Tasukete kudasai' (助けてください - Help me), 'Kyuukyuusha wo yonde kudasai' (救急車を呼んでください - Please call an ambulance), 'Itai desu' (痛いです - It hurts), 'Arerugi ga arimasu' (アレルギーがあります - I have an allergy), 'Nihongo ga wakarimasen' (日本語がわかりません - I don't understand Japanese).

Do Japanese hospitals accept foreign health insurance?

Most Japanese hospitals do not directly bill foreign insurance companies. You typically pay the full amount upfront and then claim reimbursement from your insurance company. If you have Japanese National Health Insurance (NHI) or employer insurance (Shakai Hoken), you only pay 30% at the hospital.

What is the Japan Helpline and when should I call it?

Japan Helpline (0570-064-065) is a 24/7 multilingual support service for foreigners. Call for: medical emergencies requiring translation, mental health support, domestic violence situations, general life consultations, or when you're unsure which service to contact. They can help connect you to appropriate services.

How do I find English-speaking doctors in Japan?

Resources include: AMDA International Medical Information Center (03-6233-9266), your embassy's list of English-speaking doctors, the JNTO Medical Institution search website, and international clinics in major cities. Apps like 'Japan Hospital Search' also help locate multilingual medical facilities.

What should I do if I'm in a car accident in Japan?

1) Call 110 (police) immediately - this is legally required, 2) Call 119 if anyone is injured, 3) Exchange information with the other party, 4) Take photos of the scene, 5) Contact your insurance company, 6) Get a copy of the accident report from police. Never admit fault or sign documents you don't understand.

Are there English-speaking emergency services in Japan?

While 110 and 119 operators primarily speak Japanese, many dispatch centers in major cities have access to translation services. The Japan Helpline (0570-064-065) offers 24/7 English support. Tokyo also has the Himawari Health Hotline (03-5285-8181) with English medical consultations.

Emergency Contact Card

Create a printable emergency card with your info and essential Japanese phrases. Keep it in your wallet!

Printable PDF

Bilingual

Emergency Phrases

Personal Information

Full Name (English)

Name in Katakana (optional)

Nationality

Blood Type

Medical Information

Allergies

Current Medications

Health Insurance Number

Emergency Contact

Contact Name

Phone Number

Japan Emergency Numbers

Police警察

110

Fire/Ambulance消防・救急

119

Japan Helpline多言語相談

0570-064-065

AMDA Medical Info医療相談

03-6233-9266

Emergency Phrases (Included)

Please call an ambulance

救急車を呼んでください

Kyuukyuusha wo yonde kudasai

I need help

助けてください

Tasukete kudasai

I don't understand Japanese

日本語がわかりません

Nihongo ga wakarimasen

Please call this number

この番号に電話してください

Kono bangou ni denwa shite kudasai

+ more phrases in PDF

Tips

• Print on thick paper for durability
• Laminate for water resistance
• Keep in wallet or phone case
• Share with family members

Frequently Asked Questions

The essential numbers are: 110 for Police (警察), 119 for Fire and Ambulance (消防・救急), 0570-064-065 for Japan Helpline (24/7 multilingual support), and 03-6233-9266 for AMDA International Medical Information Center. Save these in your phone and carry them on a card.

Frequently Asked Questions

An effective emergency card for Japan should include your full name in both English and katakana, your blood type (blood type is frequently asked in Japanese emergency settings), all known allergies written in Japanese, current medications with dosages, two emergency contact phone numbers with names and relationships, your health insurance card number, and any critical medical conditions such as diabetes or epilepsy. Having this information in Japanese on your emergency card can dramatically speed up treatment.

Keep your primary emergency card in your wallet directly behind your residence card so first responders find it immediately when checking your ID. Additionally, save a photo of your emergency card on your phone's lock screen or health app, and give a physical copy to your workplace's health and safety officer and to close friends or neighbors. The more people who have access to your emergency information, the better prepared you are.

Use this emergency card tool to generate accurate Japanese text for your specific allergies. Common allergen translations include: peanut (ピーナッツ/rakkasei), egg (卵/tamago), cow's milk (牛乳/gyuunyu), shellfish (甲殻類/koukakurui), wheat (小麦/komugi), and buckwheat (そば/soba). Writing 'アレルギーがあります' (I have allergies) followed by the specific substance helps medical staff identify dangerous treatments immediately.

Yes, Japanese emergency responders and hospital ER staff are trained to look for medical alert cards and emergency information on patients who arrive unconscious or unable to communicate. Having your key medical details written in Japanese on an emergency card significantly speeds up triage and reduces the chance of dangerous medication errors. Even a simple laminated card with your blood type and allergies in Japanese can make a critical difference.

For your emergency card emergency contacts, list the person's name written in katakana, their relationship to you in Japanese (e.g., 配偶者/spouse, 親/parent, 友人/friend), their Japanese mobile number, and for overseas contacts include the full international dialing format. Label the section clearly as 緊急連絡先 (kinkyuu renrakusaki / emergency contact) so staff can identify it instantly. Include two contacts in case the first person is unreachable.

Emergency Contact Card

Personal Information

Medical Information

Emergency Contact

Japan Emergency Numbers

Emergency Phrases (Included)

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What information should I put on an emergency card in Japan?

Where should I keep my emergency card in Japan?

How do I write allergy information in Japanese for my emergency card?

Will Japanese hospitals accept an emergency card from a foreigner?

What emergency contact format works best in an emergency card in Japan?

Related Tools

Hospital Helper

Disaster Guide

Japanese Phrases

Medical Refund