In Japan, if you lose an item, there is a good chance it will be returned. Over 60% of lost property is returned to the owner, and for wallets, the return rate exceeds 68%. If you lose something, head to a nearby KOBAN, which is a small neighborhood police box. There are more than 6,000 KOBANs across the country, and they are known for being helpful and community-oriented. KOBANs handle various tasks including giving directions, patrolling, and managing lost property. When reporting a lost item, you will need to fill out a bilingual form available in Japanese and English. Once submitted, the police will contact you if the item is recovered.
If you’re looking for a KOBAN, say “こうばんはどこですか (Kōban wa doko desu ka)?” which means “Where is the police box?” This sentence structure can be adapted for any location by replacing “Kōban” with the place you’re searching for, such as “byōin” for hospital or “toire” for restroom. You may hear directions such as “あそこです (Asoko desu - It’s over there)," or “まっすぐいってひだりです (Massugu itte hidari desu - Go straight, then it’s on the left)." These are common responses that help you navigate.
Japan does not have a unified emergency number like 911. Instead, dial 110 for the police and 119 for fire or ambulance services. These numbers are free and available 24/7. English support is generally available—just say, “Can you speak English?” When calling 110, the operator may ask “じけんですか、じこですか(Jiken desu ka, Jiko desu ka)?” meaning “Is this a crime or an accident?” If calling 119, you may hear “かじですか、きゅうきゅうですか (Kaji desu ka, Kyūkyū desu ka)?” asking “Is it a fire or medical emergency?”
If your phone is dead or you cannot call yourself, you can ask someone nearby for help by saying “けいさつをよんでください (Keisatsu o yonde kudasai),” which means “Please call the police.” You can replace “Keisatsu” with other people or services such as “kyūkyūsha” (ambulance), “shōbōsha” (fire truck), or “isha” (doctor) depending on the situation. The phrase structure is simple and polite. If you need someone who can speak English, you can say “えいごができるひとをよんでください (Eigo ga dekiru hito o yonde kudasai).”
If you or someone near you is not feeling well, you can describe symptoms clearly to seek appropriate help. Common phrases include: “あたまがいたいです (Atama ga itai desu – My head hurts)." "おなかがいたいです (Onaka ga itai desu – My stomach hurts)." “めまいがします (Memai ga shimasu – I feel dizzy)."
For general inquiries or non-urgent help, there is a consultation desk for foreigners available on weekdays. You can call #9110 or reach the Police Consultation Desk for Foreigners at 03-3503-8484. This can be helpful for issues that don’t require emergency response but still need attention.
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Japanese language educator with over 15 years of experience in higher education and curriculum development. She currently teaches at Knox College and advises language learning initiatives such as gokigen japanese. She has held teaching roles at institutions including Valdosta State University, and has a strong background in cultural programming, instructional design, and Japanese language education. Education: M.A. in Japanese (Pedagogy), Florida State University. Certification: Passed Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test. Completed the 420-hour Japanese Language Teacher Training Course.
