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Tips and Resources

Emergency Numbers

  • Police: 110
  • Fire/Ambulance: 119
  • Coast Guard: 118

Other Important Numbers

Services

  • FIND (Suicide Prevention Life Phone) provides toll-free telephone consultations for people in distress, including those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Kokoro no Mimi offers telephone consultations for workers, their families, and designated HR personnel in charge of labor at their companies, supporting mental health and stress management.
  • Tokyo English Life Line Counseling provides English-language counseling services for foreign residents in Tokyo.
  • Tokyo Rape Crisis Center offers counseling and support services for female victims of sexual violence.

Disaster Information

  • Disaster Voice Message: 171 (available during disasters, with testing on 1st and 15th of each month)
  • InterFM 76.1 MHz Radio Multi-language Disaster Information (provides disaster information in multiple languages)

Other

  • Public phones can connect you with emergency services for free.
  • Koban (police boxes) across Japan can provide directions and emergency assistance.
  • Japan Helpline (0120 461 997) offers 24-hour English-language emergency services, including phone support for health questions and minor injuries.

Note: When contacting emergency services, the operator may only understand Japanese. However, some services offer interpreters for other languages.

Social Etiquette

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Refrain from Talking Too Much or Interrupting Others

Although this practice is widely encouraged outside of Japan, it is important to remember that the Japanese will not try to interrupt you when you talk, so the same respect must be given back, and there should always be room for responses when you talk. It is also common practice to avoid talking loudly in public.

Indirect Communication

The Japanese have mastered the subtle art of saying no, without saying no. In this sense, some answers you may get may seem ambiguous or confusing. This is especially evident when you try to get a flat answer from a Japanese friend. The best way to navigate through a conversation is to focus on your conversation partner and check for hesitations or "tells" on the implied meanings. This can range from body language, eye contact, physical contact, and facial expressions.

Be Humble

Modesty is highly valued in Japan, so bragging is not commonplace no matter how accomplished someone is. Usually, even if your Japanese friend is the best you know at doing something, they will respond by saying they still need improvement.

Apologize

It should go without saying that people should say sorry for their own mistake. The Japanese have a number of ways to apologize, all varying depending on the severity of the situation: "Sumimasen" is used as a mild apology with acquaintances and strangers, while "Gomen" is an informal apology between close friends and family. Some people would use "I'm sorry" gifts as well.

Gift Giving

Speaking of gifts, this is a very common part of Japanese culture. Gifts in Japan are typically wrapped beautifully, whether they're just common household items or souvenirs. Gift sets of four, however, should be avoided as the number sounds very similar to the Japanese word for "death."

More Gifts

Gifts are also used to show appreciation or as repayment to someone who did a small favor for you. These kinds of gifts are usually sweets or confectionaries and treats.

Receive Gifts Gracefully

When you get a present, try not to open it immediately or ask if it's okay to open it at that moment. Besides seeming over-eager, you don't want to embarrass yourself or the gift-giver.

Don't Ask for a Favor

Even though the previous item mentions friends doing favors for friends, it's not as common to openly ask for help. People in Japan tend to keep problems to themselves and look for solutions on their own.

Don't Disturb Others

As mentioned before, you should try to keep your voice down when speaking in public so as not to disturb passers-by. When you're staying at an accommodation or anywhere with close neighbors, make sure you don't make too much noise, especially after 10 PM.

Respect People's Names

The Japanese don't normally call people with their first names, but instead will use an honorific suffix (-san) with someone's last name. When you have to use someone's name, be sure to use the same rule, especially with new friends and acquaintances. When on a first-name basis or between close friends, the suffix will vary based on gender (-kun/-chan).

Don't Over Perfume

As a courtesy to the people around you, it's best to use subtle scents or a very little amount of perfume. Too much can cause discomfort, especially in close quarters. You should be mindful of other people, what they would think, and how they would react, keeping in mind that some people may have sensitive noses or allergic reactions.

Keep Your Distance

Unlike most Western countries, people in Japan don't usually shake hands or hug when they interact or greet each other. Instead, bowing is used more often to say "hello", "goodbye", "thank you", and "I'm sorry." Foreigners are typically not expected to bow and are more likely excused if they do it wrong. Bowing has its own set of rules, going deeper depending on how apologetic you can be or by how much you respect someone. (15°, 30°, 45°)