Do this now
Follow these steps in order.
- 01
Send a concise message: safe or injured, current place, next destination and time of the next update.
- 02
Use one agreed messaging app or overseas contact so the whole family does not call separately.
- 03
If NTT announces activation, follow the official 171 instructions to record or retrieve a disaster voice message.
- 04
Contact your embassy or consulate when you need consular help, lost-document support or official welfare communication.
What to know
Use less network capacity
A short text or status post is more likely to work than a voice or video call during congestion. Send the same verified information to one family contact and ask that person to update others. Avoid sharing an unconfirmed casualty list or evacuation rumor.
What to know
171 is activated for disaster congestion
Disaster Emergency Message Dial 171 is a voice message board provided when a disaster makes ordinary calls to the affected area difficult. Availability, supported phones and registration conditions depend on the announced operation. Open NTT's current instructions rather than relying on a memorized sequence.
What to know
Emergency services and visitor support have different roles
Call 110 for police and 119 for fire or ambulance when life or immediate safety is at risk. The Japan Visitor Hotline provides multilingual assistance with emergencies and travel problems, but it does not replace emergency dispatch.
What to know
Your embassy is not a transport control center
An embassy or consulate can provide consular information and help with issues such as a lost passport. It normally cannot reopen a railway, guarantee a hotel room or override a local evacuation order. Follow Japanese authorities for immediate safety and contact the mission for consular needs.
If that does not work
Use the fallback.
- If messages remain pending, stop repeated sending, conserve battery and try again at an announced interval.
- Use activated 00000JAPAN, a staffed facility or a public phone only when reaching it is safe.
- Write your name, nationality, hotel and overseas contact on paper if you must hand information to shelter or medical staff.
Before you need it
Save this offline.
- One overseas coordination contact
- Embassy or consulate phone and website
- Japan Visitor Hotline and emergency numbers
- A prewritten status-message template
Primary evidence
Official sources used
Open these pages again before travel. External links lead to the responsible Japanese authority or transport organization.
