Inochi no Denwa (Lifeline) toll-free number: phone number and hours

The "Suicide Prevention Inochi no Denwa" line is a toll-free number answered by Inochi no Denwa centers across Japan. It is open daily from 16:00 to 21:00, and on the 10th of every month for 24 hours, from 8:00 in the morning until 8:00 the next morning. You do not need to give your name, and trained volunteers listen to you.

• Inochi no Denwa centers across Japan (local numbers)

  A list of the numbers and hours of each center in Japan. You can call any Inochi no Denwa center, regardless of where you live.

• It is not only for people who are thinking about suicide. You can also call when you carry feelings you cannot tell anyone, anxiety you cannot explain, loneliness and so on.
• You do not need to give your name, and what you talk about is never passed on to anyone else.
• Calls are answered by volunteer counselors who have completed the required training.
• The toll-free number costs nothing and can be called from mobile phones, landlines, public phones and more. Depending on your phone service or carrier, however, it may not connect.
• If you cannot get through, you are asked to wait a while and call again. Depending on the time and situation, you can also use Navi Dial or your local Inochi no Denwa center.

• Navi Dial connects you to the reception centers in turn. Call-charge discount services and the free call minutes of mobile flat-rate plans cannot be used.

Your municipality (city, ward, town or village) also has counters for welfare, health and child-rearing concerns. Call the main number, explain what you want to discuss, and ask for the counter in charge.