In Japan, especially in bustling Tokyo—home to approximately 14 million residents—lost items are seldom separated from their owners for an extended period.
“Foreign visitors are often pleasantly surprised to see their belongings returned,” remarked Hiroshi Fujii, a 67-year-old tour guide at Tokyo’s expansive police lost-and-found centre, which sees a daily influx of items waiting to be reunited with their owners.
“Here in Japan, there’s a strong expectation that lost property will be returned to its rightful owner,” he added, highlighting the cultural importance of integrity and community responsibility.
A dedicated team of around 80 staff members diligently care for the plethora of items submitted each day at the police centre located in Tokyo’s Iidabashi district. The centre operates a sophisticated database system, ensuring that lost treasures are meticulously logged and easy to locate, according to its director, Harumi Shoji.
Every item is meticulously tagged and organized, significantly expediting the process of returning possessions to their rightful owners. ID cards and driving licenses are among the most frequently misplaced items, Shoji noted.
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Last year, an astounding total of over four million items were turned over to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, with approximately 70 percent of valuable items, such as wallets, smartphones, and essential documents successfully being returned to their owners.
“Even if it’s just a mundane key, we make sure to record details such as the quirky mascot keychain it’s combined with,” Shoji explained, gesturing toward a room brimming with lost belongings, including an oversized Cookie Monster stuffed toy that caught his eye.
Throughout a typical afternoon at the centre, numerous individuals can be seen arriving to either collect or search for their lost property, which is collected from train station personnel or small local police stations across Tokyo if left unclaimed for two weeks.
A staggering 200 square meters (2,100 square feet) of the lost-and-found centre is devoted solely to the thousands of lost umbrellas, which seem to be a persistent problem as few are ever claimed. Last year alone, around 300,000 umbrellas were logged into the system, yet only a mere 3,700 were successfully returned to their owners, as Shoji highlighted.
“We have a designated floor for umbrellas… during the rainy season, we collect so many umbrellas that the trolley designated for them becomes overloaded, leading us to store them in two levels to accommodate the overflow,” he elaborated, underlining the extraordinary volume of lost items managed daily at the centre.
What is the process for retrieving lost items in Tokyo, according to Hiroshi Fujii?
**Interview with Hiroshi Fujii: The Heart of Lost and Found in Tokyo**
**Editor:** Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Hiroshi Fujii, a seasoned tour guide and expert on Japan’s unique lost and found culture. Hiroshi, thank you for joining us.
**Hiroshi Fujii:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to share about this fascinating aspect of Japanese society.
**Editor:** You’ve mentioned that foreign visitors are often surprised at how their lost belongings are returned to them. Can you elaborate on that?
**Hiroshi Fujii:** Absolutely. In Japan, there’s an unspoken understanding that lost items will be returned to their rightful owners. This cultural expectation fosters a sense of trust among the community. Many foreigners are amazed when they leave their bags or personal items behind, only to receive a call or visit from the police or transport services alerting them that their belongings have been found.
**Editor:** It’s remarkable how this system works. What role does the police lost-and-found centre play in this process?
**Hiroshi Fujii:** The police lost-and-found centre in Tokyo, located in Iidabashi, is pivotal. It handles a large volume of items daily. The team, consisting of around 80 staff members, works tirelessly to ensure that every lost item is logged into a sophisticated database. This system allows for efficient tracking and speedy reunification with their owners.
**Editor:** So, the technology seems to play a significant role. How does that enhance the process?
**Hiroshi Fujii:** Yes, the database is crucial. It not only keeps records of the items but also enables seamless communication with individuals who report their belongings missing. The attention to detail in logging every item helps staff to quickly locate and return them, making the process smooth and effective.
**Editor:** You mentioned integrity and community responsibility earlier. Can you talk about how these values influence the way lost items are treated in Japan?
**Hiroshi Fujii:** Certainly! In Japan, there’s a deep-rooted belief in returning what doesn’t belong to you. This sense of responsibility is instilled from a young age, creating a culture where people feel obligated to report found items to the authorities. It’s this shared value of integrity that makes the return of lost belongings a norm rather than an exception.
**Editor:** That sounds like a beautiful aspect of Japanese culture. As a tour guide, what stories have you encountered that highlight this?
**Hiroshi Fujii:** I’ve heard countless stories from tourists who were astonished to have their lost items returned. One particularly memorable case involved a traveler who lost a wallet full of cash and credit cards. After reporting it to the police, they were amazed to receive a call less than 24 hours later, telling them it had been turned in by a local who found it on the train. It’s moments like these that truly reflect the spirit of Japan.
**Editor:** Thank you, Hiroshi. It’s inspiring to see how a cultural commitment to integrity ensures that lost items find their way home in Japan. We appreciate your insights.
**Hiroshi Fujii:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important topic. I hope more people come to appreciate the heartwarming side of Japan’s lost-and-found culture.
