Emergency dispatches by Tokyo Fire Department in 2024 exceeded 930,000

Over 2,500 per day, that is unbelievable. I wonder how many of those were for trivial matters?

Don't they charge about $3,000 per ambulance in USA? There, you literally get people half-dying and yet begging others not to call an ambulance for them.

This is because people in Japan call an ambulance if their child has a fever or headache. Conditions where their own car or taxi would suffice. Encouraged because it's free. The exact opposite of the equally ridiculous through the roof cost of an ambulance in the U.S.

Plenty of Emergency Departments won't accept admissions unless brought by ambulance.

Ridiculous rule.

Another stupid thing about Ambulances in Japan is that many drivers don't seem to give right of way to them as they should. And adding to that, the ambulances themselves don't drive like it's an emergency, they drive slowly and cautiously, and don't use their right to road priority.

The number of dispatches was highest in summer and winter, with 7,993 people being transported by ambulance due to heatstroke from June to September last year, the highest number ever.

Not a reason to explain the full increase, but still part of what is expected with the temperatures of the last few years, unfortunately bound to increase even more with the current trend of human activity caused climate change.

Who is surprised that an aging population increases the demand for emergency dispatches?

"Don't they charge about $3,000 per ambulance in USA? There, you literally get people half-dying and yet begging others not to call an ambulance for them."

Depends on where you live, your insurance status and level of insurance; it can cost a few hundred dollars up to over $3k.

Theodore RelicToday 02:05 am JST

"Don't they charge about $3,000 per ambulance in USA? There, you literally get people half-dying and yet begging others not to call an ambulance for them."

Depends on where you live, your insurance status and level of insurance; it can cost a few hundred dollars up to over $3k.

Almost nobody does this: insurance rates are over 90% thanks to Obamacare. And they take you to the nearest hospital which must receive you, unlike apparently Japan.

Ah, sorry Theodore, didn't realize you were quoting one of our resident mouthpieces.

This is because people in Japan call an ambulance if their child has a fever or headache. Conditions where their own car or taxi would suffice. Encouraged because it's free. The exact opposite of the equally ridiculous through the roof cost of an ambulance in the U.S.

Compared to Japan, US is third world..

As slow as they drive they need to pick it up and driving around searching for a hospital is ridiculous. Any hospital not accepting emergency patients should be striped of public’s insurance scheme. Hospitals should always be open and be ready for patients.

i had the pleasure of an ambulance ride in yokohama about 2002. emergency room, mri and ambulance was about 25,000 yen after insurance.

I wish they didn't sound the local loud speaker sirens at all times of the night. If it's really necessary, don't build wood-and-paper houses so close together.

Pray tell, when is the last time you have actually seen a wood and paper house being built in Tokyo?

And it has nothing to do with ambulances either

i had the pleasure of an ambulance ride in yokohama about 2002. emergency room, mri and ambulance was about 25,000 yen after insurance.

Let me guess, private company/service.

" Plenty of Emergency Departments won't accept admissions unless brought by ambulance.

Ridiculous rule. "

Yep, idiotic Japanese inflexibility.

Folks should keep in mind that ambulance services are, for the purpose of the "ride" free, here in Japan. Any medical services provided, could be billed.

It is the noise from non-urgent ambulance trips in Japan that are bothersome.

Nothing surprising. A kid sneezes and his mom takes him to the local clinic. A friend told me her son had a headache so she called an ambulance. Japanese culture.

When I was a kid I broke two toes. I didn't go to the hospital.