Crime and Disaster Prevention, and Measures for Emergencies
Table of Contents
Emergency Contact Information and Procedures for Accidents
Please remember the following two emergency phone numbers. They can be dialed free of charge within Japan from both public phones and mobile phones.
Police officers are stationed at police boxes (koban) located at train stations and various other locations, operating 24 hours a day. They patrol neighborhoods, handle theft and other crimes, respond to traffic accidents and reports of lost property, and provide directions.
Police | 110 |
Ambulance | 119 |
Fire | 119 |
Theft
Call 110 or report the incident to the nearest police box (koban). If your bank or credit cards are stolen, immediately contact your bank or credit card company.
Fire
If you notice a fire, even a small one, call 119 immediately, and alert those nearby by shouting. As a safety measure, keep a fire extinguisher at home and participate in local fire drills to learn how to use it properly.
Traffic Accidents
Whether you are the injured party or the responsible party, call 119 if anyone is injured, and then call 110 to report the accident.
If you are the responsible party, stay at the accident scene and call 110, even if the injured party say they are fine.
If you are the injured party, ask the other party for the following details:
- Name
- Workplace
- Phone number
- License plate number
- Car insurance information
If there are any witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers as well.
When the police arrive, follow their instructions.
Note: National Health Insurance does not cover medical expenses resulting from traffic accidents. Such expenses will be reimbursed at a later date through the voluntary car insurance of the responsible party.
Lost and Found
If you have lost something, report it to the nearest police box (koban). If you are at a train station or a department store, report it at the lost and found counter.
Sudden Illness and Injury
In the case of a minor illness or injury, please use a taxi or your own car instead of an ambulance, if possible. If you need to find a doctor for a non-emergency situation, contact the Osaka Municipal Emergency Medical Information Center at 06-6693-1199 (in Japanese only).
Call 119 only in the event of a serious medical emergency, such as sudden illness, injury, burns, or poisoning. Emergency staff have symptom checklists available in 15 languages.
Emergency Assistance for International Students ANPIC (Safety Confirmation System of UOsaka)
Please refer to Risk Management .
Disaster Prevention (Earthquakes, Typhoons, Heavy Rains, etc.)
Earthquakes
Japan experiences frequent earthquakes. If an earthquake occurs, stay calm and take the following actions.
- For your safely, hide under a table or protect your head with a pillow or a cushion.
- Turn off anything that could be a source of fire or ignition.
- Ensure evacuation routes are clear.
- Walk, don’t run when evacuating. Never use an elevator.
Take the following preventive measures against earthquakes:
- Secure furniture, large electrical appliances and other items that may fall over.
- Prepare an emergency survival kit (such as flashlight, batteries, portable radio, lighter, matches, candles, preserved food, drinking water, work gloves, waterproof sheet, change of clothes, pen and notepad, first-aid kit).
- Regularly check the expiration dates of food items, and replace or restock the contents of the kit as needed.
- Keep valuables at hand, such as your passport, residence card (or alien registration certificate), bank passbook, cash, and any necessary medications.
- In the event of a disaster, please report your safety to your country’s embassy or consulate.
- For emergency and disaster information, and locations of public shelters, check the website below:
Osaka Disaster Prevention Net
Typhoons and Heavy Rains
Typhoons typically occur between May and November, bringing strong winds and heavy rains. In Japan, they are most likely to approach and sometimes make landfall between July and October.
During a typhoon or heavy rain, take the following actions:
- Stay indoors, and avoid hazardous areas.
- Stay informed about the latest news and alerts via TV or radio.
- Keep away from flooded roads, and watch out for hanging power lines.
When a “storm warning” or “emergency warning” is issued for Osaka Prefecture, class schedules will be handled as follows.
Helpful Resource
The Natural Disaster Q&A for Foreign Residents in Japan is a useful guide prepared by the Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation “TSUNAGARI”.
It explains what to do in the event of an earthquake or other natural disasters, and is available in ten languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Nepali, Tagalog, Thai, Portuguese, and Spanish.