Japan Travel Fixes
What Japanese phrase can I use to get help from the police?
"Tasukete kudasai" (please help me) and "Keisatsu o yonde kudasai" (please call the police) are the basics. In an emergency, dial 110 to reach the police directly. You can also just walk into any neighborhood "koban" police box.
A koban is a small local police post found all over Japan — you can drop in for non-emergency things too, like directions or a lost item, not just urgent situations.
110 is the emergency line for police; fire and ambulance use a different number, 119 — worth keeping the two straight.
When you need help, or want to ask at a koban
助けてください。警察を呼んでください。
Tasukete kudasai. Keisatsu o yonde kudasai.
Please help me. Please call the police.