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Lost your wallet or phone in Japan: how to report it and get it back
Lost a wallet or phone in Japan? File at a police box, bring ID to collect it, know the 3-month holding period, and block your cards and residence card.
- Where to report
- Police box or station, in person
- Police holding period
- 3 months from the report
- ID to collect
- Residence card, license or passport
- Tokyo Lost and Found Center
- 0570-550-142
Short answer
To report a lost wallet or phone in Japan, go in person to a police box (交番) or station and file a lost property report; it cannot be sent by email, and items lost outside Japan are not accepted. As of November 2026, the Tokyo police keep found property for three months after it is reported. To collect, bring a residence card, driver's license or passport. Call your card issuer or phone carrier at once to block misuse, and report a lost residence card separately.
If you lose a wallet or phone in Japan, go in person to a police box (交番) or police station and file a lost property report. As of November 2026, the Tokyo police keep found property for three months after it is reported. Bring a residence card, driver’s license or passport when you collect, and call your card issuer or carrier straight away.
- You Block cards and your phone Contact the card issuer or phone carrier first. The Tokyo police advise this to prevent misuse.
- You File a lost property report At a police box or station, in person. Fill in the form from the police website beforehand if you like.
- You Search the police database and ask the operator Contact the train or bus company, airline or shop where you lost it.
- You Collect with ID Residence card, license or passport, plus your report and any reference number.
Filing the report
The Tokyo police say you must file at a police box or station. They cannot take reports by email or other means, and they do not accept reports for items lost outside Japan. Give a Japanese phone number, because as a matter of principle they do not make international calls. The form is on their website, so you can fill it in beforehand and hand it over in person. For the police numbers, including the non-urgent line, see emergency numbers in Japan.
Cards and your phone
Call the issuer for each bank card and credit card, and your carrier for the phone, to prevent fraud. To claim a phone from the police, you also need its SIM card number or serial number, so note those down if you can.
If your residence card was in the wallet
Report the card separately. See what to do if you lose your residence card, and for a passport, lost passport guidance.
How long the police keep it
The Tokyo police say they keep found property for three months after it is reported. After that it goes to the finder or the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and items with personal information are discarded. The Lost Property Act separately requires the police station to keep announcing a found item for three months from the announcement date. A cheap everyday item such as an umbrella, clothing or a bicycle can be sold if the owner is not found within two weeks of the announcement, the Act says.
Searching and collecting
The police database lets you search by item type and date, but it is Japanese only and updated periodically. You can also ask the railway or bus company, airline or shop directly. In Tokyo, the Lost and Found Center takes calls on 0570-550-142, Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 16:30, closed on national holidays and from December 29 to January 3.
To collect, bring a valid driver’s license, passport or residence card, plus a lost property report if you did not file one earlier. If someone else collects for you, they need their own ID, a photocopy of yours and a letter of authorization.
Questions people ask
Where do I report a lost wallet in Japan?
Go to any police box (交番) or police station and file a lost property report. The Tokyo police say reports cannot be accepted by email or other means. You can download the form from their website and fill it in beforehand.
Do I need a Japanese phone number to report?
Yes, give a Japanese number if you can. The Tokyo police say they do not make international calls as a matter of principle.
How long do the police keep lost property?
The Tokyo police keep found property for three months after it is reported. After that, it goes to the finder or to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and items containing personal information are discarded.
What ID do I need to collect my item?
A valid driver's license, passport or residence card, plus the lost property report if you have not already filed one. Someone collecting for you needs their own ID, a copy of yours and a letter of authorization.
What if I lose something outside Japan?
The Tokyo police say they cannot accept reports of items lost outside Japan.
Sources
- Lost and Found, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (警視庁) (accessed Nov 3, 2026)
- Lost and Found FAQ: how long will the police keep found items?, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (警視庁) (accessed Nov 3, 2026)
- 遺失物法 第7条, e-Gov Law Search (デジタル庁) (accessed Nov 3, 2026)
Spotted something out of date or wrong? Email [email protected] and we will check it against the source. See our corrections policy.
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