Police ask public not to use 110 number for non-urgent calls

Fine, start with education then after 6 months make it an offence if people are using the number for the wrong reason.

Could a certain number of calls be attributed to mental illness?

I lived in Japan for nearly twenty years and never knew there was an alternate number.

almost 20% of the calls being unrelated to emergencies is too much, people need to understand the huge value of an emergency number and how to use it properly. I think this very high number of misuse would justify a bigger effort educating the people.

I lived in Japan for nearly twenty years and never knew there was an alternate number

Maybe you've been living under a rock. It's been well documented in the media before.

I learn something new everyday. I’m sure at least 30-40% of the calls are from nut cases.

"The NPA has asked the public to phone the help hotline (#9110) for mundane requests that would otherwise deter police from responding to accidents and disasters."

If one was to call #9110 because computer wouldnt work would they actually receive help, surely you call the customer support as with vending machine.

4 pressed buttons for emergencies

5 pressed buttons for non-urgent issues.

Most will likely continue to use #110 as it is easier to remember and more convenient than #9110.

AustPaul is spot on with the solution.

a vending machine didn’t work

If a vending machine takes your money but does not give you the goods you paid for, is that not theft?

And yes, there is usually a helpline, but what if they do not respond or are unwilling to help? Theft is a crime.

I'm not saying that this was what happened when the person called 110, just that this is not necessarily as black and white as may at first appear.

Moshi-moshi, is that the mundane requests line ? I'd like to know if the ramen-noodle shops could possibly stop giving away plastic wari bashi - it's not only bad for the environment, but my noodles always slither-off the plastic and end up down my suit, the wooden variety are far more functional, even with the udons...... thanks, you'll get it sorted ? Great.

Could a certain number of calls be attributed to mental illness?

a person reporting that his/her computer wasn't working and what should they do.

Those computer and printer people might qualify

a vending machine didn’t work

If a vending machine takes your money but does not give you the goods you paid for, is that not theft?

still not a 110 prioritized emergency

They'd have to do better than just asking once in order to teach the population not to use 110 or 119 for for a sore throat. They'd need to to commercials, etc. if they want the message to get to people in Japan.

a person reporting that his/her computer wasn't working and what should they do

I can see my mom doing that.

There was once an emergency at my apartment building (outside) and I called 119 (fire/rescue/ambulance) and another neighbor called 110 (police) and it was both a police and medical (injury) emergency from attempted suicide. Lots and lots of cops came in no time then shortly after the ambulance came. It's confusing having both numbers like this and why don't they just have one like US's 911 system.

The NPA has asked the public to phone the help hotline (#9110)...

Is the # key part of the number?

but surely when my neighbour's son gives his friend a ride on the back of his bike in the morning constitutes a full blues n twos response....right??!!