emergency
Stroke
脳卒中 (nōsocchū)
A stroke happens when blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel ruptures, causing brain damage. Use the FAST acronym: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 119. Japan has a high stroke rate and many hospitals are designated stroke care centers with specialized rapid-treatment protocols. Every minute without treatment increases permanent disability risk, so calling 119 without delay is essential.
Japan's stroke treatment network includes certified stroke care units (SCU) at hospitals throughout the country, particularly in major urban and regional centers.
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Stroke |
| Japanese (日本語) | 脳卒中 |
| Chinese (中文) | 中风 |
| Korean (한국어) | 뇌졸중 |
| Portuguese | Derrame cerebral |
| Spanish | Derrame cerebral |
| Filipino | Atake sa utak |
| Thai | โรคหลอดเลือดสมอง |
| Vietnamese | Đột quỵ |
| Romanization | nōsocchū |
Learn more in the guide:
Read the guide →Last reviewed: September 2026