Sudden illness or serious illness
In the case of serious illness or serious injury call the fire department for an ambulance (Tel No. 119).
If the illness or injury is not serious, go to the hospital or clinic by taxi, car, etc.

When you phone ‘119’ and the fire department officer answers do not panic, remain calm.
Tell the officer (1) it is an emergency, (2) what has happened, (3) where you are (address or some notable landmarks), (4) your full name, and (5) the phone number from which you are making the call.

When you hear the siren, go out to guide the ambulance to the location.
‘119’ is a free-call number to the fire department. When using a public telephone, ten yen coins or telephone cards are not required.

When you call for an ambulance, have a health insurance card and hospital/clinic card (if any such cards have been obtained) ready if possible.

Sudden illness on holidays or at night
Use the emergency medical facilities in your district.
(1) Emergency illness on Sundays, national holidays, New Year holidays
Emergency Medical Facilities for Holidays (Kyujitsu Kyukan Shinryosho)
(2) Emergency illness at night or after hours
Emergency Medical Center (Kyukyu Iryo Center)
Night Emergency Illness Center (Yakan Kyubyo Center)
(3) For toothaches on holidays and at night
Dental Health Medical Center (Shika Hoken Iryo Center)
(4) Doctor introduced by telephone in an emergency
Emergency Medical Facilities for Holidays

The naming, contents and opening hours of services vary depending on the district.
It is advisable to find out in advance about emergency medical services in your district.

Note 1 For details, ask a person who understands Japanese to enquire for you at your nearest fire department, hospital or your city, ward, town or village office.
Note 2 The information given is that confirmed as of July 2002. Note that a new system or system revisions may have been introduced after this date.

This information is from the CLAIR website. The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) was established in July 1988 in response to rising concerns about local level internationalization in Japan.