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Pediatric Medical Hotline in Japan: #8000

Last updated: 2026-03-03

TL;DR

  • If your child suddenly gets sick at night/holidays and you’re not sure whether you should go to a clinic/hospital, call #8000 for pediatric telephone advice.
  • If symptoms look life-threatening (trouble breathing, unconsciousness, severe bleeding, etc.), call 119 immediately.
  • Hours and details vary by prefecture.

What is #8000?

#8000 is a nationwide abbreviated dialing number for pediatric medical telephone consultation. When you dial it, you are generally connected to this children’s Medical Hotline in your prefecture, where nurses and/or pediatric clinicians provide guidance on home care and whether urgent medical attention is needed.

When should I call #8000?

Call #8000 when:

  • your child becomes sick or injured outside clinic hours (night/holidays), and
  • you’re unsure whether to go to a hospital right away, or how to care for them at home.

When should I call 119 instead?

Call 119 immediately if you think it’s an emergency (for example, severe breathing difficulty, unconsciousness, severe bleeding, etc.). #8000 is telephone advice, not emergency dispatch.

Hours and availability (important)

#8000 is available nationwide as a system, but service hours and the backup “direct dial” phone number differ by prefecture. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare publishes a list of contacts/hours by prefecture.

Tip: Save #8000 in your phone now, before you need it.

Cost

In many prefectures, the consultation itself is free, but call charges are your responsibility (depending on your phone plan).

Language support

Language support varies by prefecture:

  • Some areas are Japanese-only.
  • Some prefectures provide multilingual support (examples include Nagano and Mie).

If you cannot communicate in Japanese, consider using your hotel staff, a friend, or visitor support options.

If #8000 doesn’t connect (dial line / IP phone)

In some areas, #8000 may not work from dial lines or IP phones, and you must call a local “direct dial” number instead.
Also, in some border areas, dialing #8000 can route you to a neighboring prefecture; local pages may instruct you to use the direct dial number in that case.

What to prepare before you call (30 seconds)

If possible, have this ready:

  • Child’s age and weight (if known)
  • Main symptoms (fever / vomiting / rash / cough / injury)
  • When it started and whether it’s getting worse
  • Any allergies and medications
  • Your location (prefecture/city) in case routing matters

What to say (simple script)

You can say this slowly:

“My child is [age] years old. They have [symptom]. It started [time] ago.
They are [breathing normally / breathing with difficulty].
I want to know if we should go to a hospital now.”

(The consultant will ask follow-up questions and advise on next steps. This is not a medical diagnosis.)

If you are visiting Japan (tourists)

#8000 is designed primarily as a pediatric consultation line operated through prefectural systems, and local rules may differ. If you are a visitor and need help in English, you may also use the Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO) for support.

FAQ

Q. Is #8000 available everywhere in Japan?

It is a nationwide abbreviated number, but hours and details differ by prefecture.

Q. Is #8000 free?

In many areas, the consultation is free, but call charges apply.

Q. Can #8000 diagnose my child or prescribe medicine?

No. It is telephone advice and does not provide examinations or medical procedures.

Q. What if I can’t speak Japanese?

Language support varies; some places are Japanese-only, while others offer multilingual support.

Should I call #8000 or 119?

If you believe it’s life-threatening, call 119. If you are unsure and it’s not clearly critical, #8000 can help you decide.

What if #8000 won’t connect?

Try your prefecture’s direct dial number (often listed by the prefecture or by MHLW).

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