The Japanese emergency number, 110, has reported a record high of 10 million calls, with around 20% of them being classified as unnecessary or non-urgent. The authorities are urging the public to use the emergency number responsibly to ensure that genuine emergencies are attended to quickly. These redundant calls are taking a toll on the emergency response system and have provoked discussions about public awareness and societal responsibility.

In Japan, misuse of the emergency number is a serious issue as it deviates the resources from actual emergencies. Japanese culture places a high value on harmony and avoiding disturbances to the societal order. Misusing the emergency services is seen as an act that disrupts this harmony and places unnecessary strain on an important social system.

Similarly in countries like the US and EU, misuse of emergency numbers is a serious offense. For instance, in the U.S., making a false emergency call can lead to fines, imprisonment, or both. Raising public awareness about the appropriate use of emergency numbers is crucial in these regions as well.