safety

What to Do If You Have an Accident in Japan

The order of actions at the scene, how to call police and the rental company, and how insurance liability works.

Car safely stopped with a warning triangle during a roadside emergency
Car safely stopped with a warning triangle during a roadside emergency이미지 제공: holioo.com

holioo.com Japan Drive 편집팀최종 업데이트2026.09.01정보 확인2026.09

First stop safely and protect the scene

In Japan even a minor scrape needs a police report; without it there is no accident certificate and insurance will not pay. Follow this order.

Car safely pulled onto the left shoulder in Japan
Car safely pulled onto the left shoulder in Japan이미지 제공: holioo.com
  • 1. If anyone is injured, call 119 for an ambulance
  • 2. Call 110 for police and stay at the scene
  • 3. Call the rental company using the 24-hour number on your contract
  • 4. Photograph positions, damage and plates; note the other driver's details
  • 5. Never agree a private settlement at the scene

Use hazard lights and a warning triangle

Stopping on an expressway is dangerous. Secure your own safety before the car.

Warning triangle correctly placed behind a car
Warning triangle correctly placed behind a car이미지 제공: holioo.com
  • Turn on hazard lights and move to the shoulder
  • Place the warning triangle behind the car
  • Get everyone behind the guardrail, not inside the car
  • Use the roadside emergency phone or your mobile

Call 119 for injuries, then police on 110

Tell the operator there has been a crash, your road or nearest landmark, the number injured and your phone number. Even a minor scrape requires a police record; do not leave before instructed.

Calling Japanese police on 110 after an accident
Calling Japanese police on 110 after an accident이미지 제공: holioo.com

Call roadside rescue and the rental company

Use the accident number on the agreement, in-car documents or key tag. Do not arrange unapproved towing or repairs; follow the rental company's instructions.

Calling roadside rescue in Japan
Calling roadside rescue in Japan이미지 제공: holioo.com

Photograph the scene and exchange details

When safe, photograph vehicle positions, the wider road, damage, signals and plates. Record the other party's name, phone and insurance details. Do not admit liability or settle privately.

Photographing vehicle positions and contacting the rental company
Photographing vehicle positions and contacting the rental company이미지 제공: holioo.com

Costs and excess cover

Basic rental insurance carries an excess, and Japan also applies a Non-Operation Charge (NOC) — compensation for the days the car cannot be rented while it is repaired. Most companies sell an excess-waiver option that covers both.

  • NOC is typically about JPY 20,000 if you can return the car, JPY 50,000 if not
  • The waiver usually costs a few hundred to about JPY 1,500 per day and is worth taking
  • Insurance can be void entirely without a police report, or after drink-driving or contract breaches

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