Quick Answer
If you have an accident or breakdown in Japan, the safest practical rule is:
- stop in a safe place if possible
- check for injuries and call emergency services if needed
- contact the rental car company as soon as possible
- follow the rental company’s instructions
- keep records, photos, and any paperwork
For rental cars in Japan, contacting the rental company quickly is one of the most important steps.
If you rent a car in Japan, one of the biggest worries is not the normal drive.
It is the question many travelers hope they never need to ask:
What should foreign visitors do after an accident or breakdown in Japan?
The good news is that the basic response can be simple if you remember the right order.
First, make sure everyone is safe
If the car can still be moved safely, move to a safe place away from traffic if possible.
Turn on the hazard lights and check whether anyone is injured.
If there are injuries or immediate danger, call emergency services first.
Your first priority is safety, not paperwork.
If this is a rental car, who should you call first?
For foreign visitors using a rental car, the practical rule is usually:
contact the rental car company as soon as possible.
This is important enough to remember in advance.
That means even if roadside help may later be involved, your rental company is usually the first contact point you should think about.
What if the problem is an accident?
If you are involved in an accident, you should follow the rental company’s accident procedure as quickly as possible.
In practice, this means you should not wait until you get back to the hotel or until the next day.
Call from the scene if you can safely do so.
What if the problem is a breakdown or mechanical trouble?
If the car develops a problem, feels unsafe, or clearly breaks down, stop driving and contact the rental company immediately.
This is a good practical rule even beyond one company.
If something seems wrong, do not continue driving just because you want to reach the destination first.
Can JAF help?
Yes, but for rental cars the rental company should usually be contacted first.
JAF provides roadside assistance in Japan and gives emergency contact routes such as #8139 and regional call center numbers.
However, for rental car trouble, the usual order is:
- rental company first
- then roadside support if the rental company tells you to use it or arranges it
Do you need to call the police?
If there is an accident, especially involving another vehicle, injury, or property damage, you should not assume it is enough to only inform the rental company.
In practice, for any real accident, police involvement is often part of the correct procedure in Japan.
If you are unsure, call the rental company immediately and follow its guidance.
What information should you keep?
If the situation is safe enough, it helps to collect and keep:
- photos of the vehicle and surrounding scene
- the rental agreement
- the exact location
- the time of the incident
- names and contact details of any other involved parties
- police report details if police attend
- repair, towing, or roadside service information if provided
These details can make later communication much easier.
Will there be extra charges?
Possibly, yes.
Even if insurance exists, rental companies in Japan often mention a Non-Operation Charge (NOC) when the vehicle cannot be used because of an accident, breakdown, theft, or damage during the rental period.
That is exactly why reporting the problem correctly and following company instructions matters.
What should foreign visitors avoid doing?
The biggest mistakes are usually these:
- continuing to drive when the car is clearly unsafe
- waiting too long to contact the rental company
- assuming a normal breakdown can be handled later without reporting it
- failing to keep records or receipts
- assuming all damage is automatically covered without checking the rental terms
A calm and fast first response is usually much better than trying to solve everything alone.
So, what is the safest practical rule?
The safest practical rule is this:
If you have an accident or breakdown in Japan, make safety the first priority, contact the rental car company as soon as possible, and follow the company’s instructions from that point.
That is the most useful thing for foreign visitors to remember.
Read Next
- What Should Foreign Visitors Know About Fueling a Rental Car in Japan?
- What Is an ETC Card and How Do Foreign Visitors Use It in Japan?
- Can Tourists Use Expressway Passes in Japan?
References
- JAF, Road Service in Japan and Reciprocal Benefit Program
- JAF, Call Road Service
- NIPPON Rent-A-Car, When an accident occurs during rental car use
- NIPPON Rent-A-Car, Insurance & Accident
- NIPPON Rent-A-Car, For beginners
- Times CAR RENTAL, Car rental Agreement
- TOYOTA Rent a Car, Insurance