Among special numbers, emergency numbers are the most critical - special phone numbers for contacting police, fire, and ambulance services during emergencies. Japan's three main emergency numbers are 110 (police), 119 (fire/ambulance), and 118 (Japan Coast Guard), all free of charge.
Emergency call mechanisms differ between landlines and mobile phones. Calls from landlines automatically transmit address information linked to the phone number, enabling location identification even when the caller cannot communicate their address. For mobile phone calls, a "Emergency Call Location Notification" system using GPS has been in place since 2007. However, GPS accuracy varies from several meters to tens of meters depending on the environment, with reduced accuracy indoors and underground.
An important limitation: IP phones (050 numbers) cannot make emergency calls. Since 050 numbers are not tied to a geographic area, the jurisdictional emergency center cannot be determined - this is the technical reason. Users who only have a 050 number should keep a mobile phone nearby for emergencies. Emergency calls via Wi-Fi calling also vary by carrier and device, so advance verification is important.
For non-emergency consultations, dedicated dial numbers are available. #9110 (police consultation) handles crime victim consultations and public safety concerns, #7119 (Emergency Consultation Center) helps when unsure whether to call an ambulance, and #8000 (Pediatric Emergency Hotline) handles consultations about children's sudden illness or injury. Using these consultation numbers helps prevent congestion on emergency lines, ensuring truly urgent calls are processed promptly. Prank calls or false reports to emergency numbers constitute obstruction of business by fraud (up to 3 years imprisonment or 500,000 yen fine). Review proper usage in the emergency number guide.