What is vertical AI in this context?

Vertical AI refers to AI that specializes in specific fields. In this project, it will be used to transcribe emergency calls and advise staff on necessary actions.

What is the #7119 service?

It is a telephone consultation service that advises people on whether they should call an ambulance. AI will automatically provide information such as guidance on nearby hospitals for callers.

When will the project start?

The model project is planned to launch in fiscal 2027, with related expenses included in the agency's fiscal 2027 budget request.

Audio & SpeechRoboticsJapan Times TechAug 28, 2026Aug 28, 2026, 19:01 JST

Japan to test AI for 119 emergency call handling

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3 Key Points

What happened
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency plans to launch a model project in fiscal 2027 to use AI in handling 119 emergency calls. The AI-powered speech recognition system will automatically transcribe calls, and related expenses will be included in the fiscal 2027 budget request.
Why it matters
The aim is to streamline the process of recording call details and ease the burden on staff amid a growing number of ambulance dispatches. The system will also advise staff on necessary actions based on each call's content.
What to watch
AI will also be introduced for the "#7119" telephone consultation service, and the agency plans to test wearable robots for rescue operations and drone-based AI fire detection. In July, the government released an interim report promoting vertical AI implementation in firefighting by 2030.

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Context & Analysis

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency is responding to a growing number of ambulance dispatches by turning to AI. The planned system, which uses vertical AI specialized for firefighting and rescue, will not only transcribe calls but also recommend actions to staff, potentially changing how emergency calls are processed.

The initiative extends beyond call handling. The agency plans to apply AI to the #7119 consultation service, use wearable robots to reduce physical strain on firefighters, and test drone-based AI fire detection. These efforts align with a government interim report released in July, which promotes vertical AI implementation in the firefighting field by 2030.

Since the project is still in the model phase and budgeted for fiscal 2027, the actual impact on emergency response times or staff workloads remains to be seen. However, the scope suggests a broader push to integrate specialized AI across multiple aspects of disaster response in the coming years.

FAQ

What is vertical AI in this context?: Vertical AI refers to AI that specializes in specific fields. In this project, it will be used to transcribe emergency calls and advise staff on necessary actions.
What is the #7119 service?: It is a telephone consultation service that advises people on whether they should call an ambulance. AI will automatically provide information such as guidance on nearby hospitals for callers.
When will the project start?: The model project is planned to launch in fiscal 2027, with related expenses included in the agency's fiscal 2027 budget request.

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