Police Consultation Day (Keisatsu Sōdan no Hi)

What Is Police Consultation Day?

September 11th is "Police Consultation Day" (Keisatsu Sōdan no Hi) in Japan. It was established in 1999 by the National Police Agency, named after "#9110," the nationwide number for police consultation. The day aims to make people aware that there is a place to consult the police about worries affecting the safety and peace of daily life, such as stalking, domestic violence, fraudulent sales practices, and trouble with neighbors, even when the situation is not yet an incident that needs to be reported right away.

110 or #9110? Knowing Which to Call

It's important to choose the right police number for your purpose.

• 110: the number for reporting cases that need an immediate police response, such as a crime or accident happening right now.
• #9110: the number for non-emergency consultations about the risk of becoming a crime victim, or about worries and concerns related to safety in daily life. It connects you to the consultation desk of the prefectural police headquarters covering the area you call from (the Metropolitan Police Department in Tokyo).
• Why it matters: calling #9110 for non-urgent consultations helps keep 110 lines free for reports that are truly urgent.

Why Consulting Early Matters

One reason accessible police consultation services were developed is that there were cases in which action could not be taken before an incident occurred, and the situation escalated into a serious crime. Consulting while a problem is still small is considered to help prevent harm and allow an earlier response.

Trivia About Police Consultations

• What you can consult about: besides worries about daily safety such as stalking, domestic violence, fraudulent sales, and trouble with neighbors, the service also accepts opinions and complaints about the police and police officers.
• Hours: hours differ from one prefectural police force to another, so it's a good idea to check your local police website in advance.
• Other services: depending on the issue, another specialized service may be more suitable, such as the Consumer Hotline "188" for trouble with contracts or purchases.
• America's "911": in the United States, September 11th is also "National 9-1-1 Day," named after the emergency number 911 and proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1987.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Save "#9110" in your smartphone contacts
• Check the hours of your local police consultation desk
• Look up the latest fraud and online-trouble tactics in police public notices
• Keep an eye out for family members or people close to you who may be struggling

Don't Carry It Alone — Reach Out Early

Sometimes talking to someone while a problem is still small is what reveals the way to solve it. Let September 11th be a day to remember that the "#9110" consultation line exists, and to make sure you know who you can turn to when you need help.