On March 2, the Lost and Found Center of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department announced that in 2025, the department received a record 4.5 billion yen (29 million USD) in lost property, primarily cash, turned in by citizens. This figure marks a 0.5% increase compared to 2024.

Over 70% of the cases involved cash found in public places, including instances where customers forgot to collect change at supermarket self-checkout counters. The largest single amount of cash turned in by an individual was 27 million yen.

Approximately 3.23 billion yen, or 71% of the total lost cash received by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, was returned to its owners. Finders received 590 million yen, while about 680 million yen was transferred to the state budget.

Under Japanese law, if the owner is identified, the finder is entitled to receive 5-20% of the property's value as a "finder's fee". However, this right is forfeited if the property is not handed over to the police within seven days, or within 24 hours if found at establishments with management.

Tokyo police at Ikebukuro station, 6/2025. Photo: Reuters

If property is found within a commercial establishment such as a supermarket or train station, this fee may be split between the finder and the managing entity.

Japanese police store lost property for three months from the date of receipt. If the owner does not appear and the finder declines to claim it, the property is then transferred to the state budget.

The number of lost items turned over to the police also reached a new record of 4.5 million items, a 3% increase from 2024. This included 820,000 cases of lost driver's licenses and identification documents.

International observers rank Japan among the countries with the highest levels of civic honesty globally. The high rate of lost property returned to its owners reflects a combination of community consciousness education, social norms emphasizing individual responsibility, and trust in public authorities, according to researchers.

Duc Trung (According to Kyodo, Mainichi, Asahi)