Calling himself Tanaka Hajime, the man, believed to be in his 30s or 40s and standing 1.65 meters tall, has only fragmented memories of the Glico sign in Osaka and Mount Fuji. He can distinguish between rice and bread but has no recollection of common dishes like fried chicken or ginger pork.

Tanaka used the money to buy a tent and food, living in the mountains for three weeks before seeking help from Shimane prefectural police at the end of August. Despite having his photo and fingerprints taken, his identity remains a mystery.

A recent photo of the man who woke up in a forest in Shimane prefecture in 7/2025 with amnesia. Photo: Ettoday

Guided by his vague memories, he walked over 230 km to Osaka, searching for clues to his identity. Along the way, Tanaka was detained for 10 days for carrying a knife. After explaining his situation, he was released, received housing assistance from a social welfare organization, and now works part-time at a restaurant.

"My biggest fear isn't the lack of material possessions, but not knowing who I am," Tanaka said.

He decided to share his story with the media, hoping relatives or friends might recognize him by a distinctive feature: the rooster-style haircut he had when found.

Tanaka Hajime in 7/2025 when he woke up in the forest with amnesia. Photo: X

The story quickly gained attention on Japanese social media, sparking debate. Some find the story movie-like, while others suspect a fabrication or that he's hiding something.

The social welfare organization supporting Tanaka Hajime received around 300 reports after the story spread. Some clues suggest he might be from Tokyo, but his true identity remains unknown.

Minh Phuong (Ettoday, Yahoo)