Embassy Guide
When you're in trouble abroad, your embassy is your ally. Know how to use it.
What is an Embassy / Consulate?
What they can do
- • Emergency passport issuance
- • Assistance when arrested or detained
- • Help finding medical care
- • Support during natural disasters / evacuations
- • Notifying family in Japan of emergencies
- • Information about local laws and customs
What they cannot do
- • Pay your hospital bills or legal fees
- • Get you out of jail
- • Act as a lawyer or translator in court
- • Investigate crimes on your behalf
- • Override local laws
- • Arrange free flights home
Before You Travel
Register for Tabireji
Japan's official travel registration. Receive emergency notifications and enable the embassy to confirm your safety.
Register nowGet travel insurance
Medical emergencies abroad can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Insurance is not optional.
Copy your passport
Keep a photocopy separate from the original. Also store a photo on your phone and email.
Save embassy contacts
Save the embassy phone number, local emergency number, and tourist police number in your phone BEFORE you travel.
Share your itinerary
Tell a trusted person at home where you'll be and when. Include hotel names and flight numbers.
What To Do When...
Lost or stolen passport▼
- 1.File a police report
- 2.Go to the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate
- 3.Bring a photo ID (copy of passport, driver's license)
- 4.Emergency travel document can be issued same day
Crime victim▼
- 1.Call local emergency number
- 2.Contact the Japanese embassy
- 3.File a police report (ask embassy for help if language barrier)
- 4.Contact your travel insurance company
Medical emergency▼
- 1.Call local emergency number
- 2.Contact your travel insurance company (they may arrange hospital)
- 3.Contact the embassy if you need help finding English-speaking doctors
- 4.Keep all receipts for insurance claims
Natural disaster or terrorism▼
- 1.Follow local authority instructions
- 2.Check Tabireji for embassy messages
- 3.Contact the embassy if you need evacuation assistance
- 4.Inform family in Japan that you are safe
Arrested or detained▼
- 1.Request to contact the Japanese embassy (this is your right)
- 2.Do not sign anything you don't understand
- 3.The embassy can visit you, explain local legal procedures, and help find a lawyer
- 4.The embassy cannot get you released or pay bail
First Steps in an Emergency
1. Call local emergency number
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2. Contact Japanese embassy
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3. Contact your travel insurance