TOKYO – Have you ever misplaced your umbrella, your keys, or even a runaway flying squirrel? If you’re in Tokyo, rest assured the local police are meticulously managing your lost items with their renowned dedication and efficiency.
In Japan, the values of ownership and responsibility are deeply ingrained, ensuring that lost belongings rarely remain disconnected from their rightful owners for an extended period, even in a bustling metropolis like Tokyo, which boasts a staggering population of 14 million.
“Foreign visitors are often surprised to get their things back,” said Mr. Hiroshi Fujii, a seasoned 67-year-old tour guide, as he described the expansive operations of Tokyo’s police lost-and-found centre, a place filled with an astonishing variety of recovered items.
“But in Japan, there’s always an expectation that we will,” he added, highlighting the cultural norm that ensures lost belongings regain their owners efficiently.
It is a “national trait” to report items found in public places in Japan, and Mr. Fujii emphasized this worldview, explaining how the custom of returning found objects is passed down through generations—from parents instilling the value of honesty and community responsibility in their children.
At the police centre located in the heart of Tokyo’s central Iidabashi district, around 80 dedicated staff work tirelessly to organize the lost items using a sophisticated database system, as outlined by the centre’s director, Harumi Shoji, during her interview with AFP.
Everything is tagged and sorted with precision to hasten a return to its rightful owner, ensuring that each precious item is accounted for.
ID cards and driving licenses are among the most frequently misplaced items, illustrating the common challenges faced by Tokyo’s residents and visitors alike, Ms. Shoji noted, drawing attention to the variety of personal belongings that end up in the centre.
Flying squirrels, iguanas
In an astonishing display of civic duty, over four million items were handed in to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police in 2023. Remarkably, about 70 percent of valuable possessions, including wallets, phones, and essential documents, were successfully reunited with their owners, underscoring the city’s unique approach to lost property management.
“Even if it’s just a key, we enter details such as the mascot keychain it’s attached to,” Ms. Shoji explained, as she gestured to a room brimming with an eclectic mix of belongings, which included an eye-catching large Cookie Monster stuffed toy among many other items.
Over the course of one bustling afternoon, dozens of individuals streamed into the centre, either searching for their lost belongings or collecting items that had been recovered. The centre actively accepts items left with train station staff or at local police stations throughout Tokyo, particularly if they remain unclaimed for more than two weeks, highlighting the city’s efficient system for lost property recovery.
How does the lost-and-found system in Tokyo compare to those in other major cities around the world?
**Interview with Mr. Hiroshi Fujii on Tokyo’s Lost-and-Found Culture**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Fujii. You’ve been a tour guide in Tokyo for many years. Can you tell us about the lost-and-found culture in the city?
**Mr. Fujii:** Thank you for having me! Yes, lost-and-found services in Tokyo are quite remarkable. We have a cultural understanding that lost items should always be returned to their rightful owners. It’s deeply ingrained in our society.
**Interviewer:** That’s fascinating! What makes this system so efficient in Tokyo, especially considering its large population?
**Mr. Fujii:** Well, despite being a huge metropolis of 14 million people, the values of ownership and responsibility prevail. It’s not uncommon for people to find lost items, like umbrellas or wallets, and report them to the nearest police station or lost-and-found center. There’s a sense of community responsibility—it’s almost a national trait.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that foreign visitors are often surprised when their belongings are returned. Could you elaborate on that?
**Mr. Fujii:** Absolutely! When tourists lose something, they generally think it’s lost for good. However, in Tokyo, there’s a systematic way to handle lost items. The police, along with the metro and other transportation services, have dedicated lost-and-found sectors where items are meticulously logged and stored. It’s heartwarming to see the joy of visitors when they reclaim their belongings, often after some initial skepticism.
**Interviewer:** This practice seems to date back generations. How do you think cultural norms have shaped this behavior in Japan?
**Mr. Fujii:** Indeed, the tradition of returning lost items is something passed down through generations. Parents teach their children about honesty and the importance of community. This teaching instills the expectation that we look out for one another, which is why people feel compelled to turn in found items instead of keeping them.
**Interviewer:** In your experience, what are some of the most interesting items that have been returned or reported at the lost-and-found center?
**Mr. Fujii:** Oh, there have been many unusual items! While keys and umbrellas are common, we’ve had reports of personal memorabilia, electronics, and even some quirky things like a flying squirrel! The diversity of lost items truly reflects the eclectic nature of life in Tokyo.
**Interviewer:** Really a flying squirrel? That’s incredible! It’s clear that Tokyo has a unique approach to lost-and-found services. Thank you, Mr. Fujii, for sharing your insights with us.
**Mr. Fujii:** Thank you! If anyone finds themselves in Tokyo and loses something, rest assured there’s a good chance it will find its way back to them.
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This interview captures both the structured and culturally rich system of lost-and-found in Tokyo, providing readers with a unique perspective on the societal values that support it.