Many people have experienced losing or misplacing something while out and about, such as on a train or other public transport. These are collectively referred to as “lost property.”

For example, lost items on trains or at stations are usually kept at the station for a few days before being handed over to the police.

Items handed over to the police from the outset are kept at the local police station for a certain period before being centrally managed by a lost property center in each prefecture.

In all cases, the storage period for lost property is three months from the date it is reported.

This is stipulated by the Lost Property Act.

After three months, ownership transfers to the person who found the item, except for items containing personal information such as smartphones and cards.

It’s important to remember that the person who found the item has the right to claim it for two months after acquiring ownership three months after reporting it.
After that, ownership transfers to the prefecture.

Furthermore, if you find cash or other valuables and receive them after three months have passed since reporting, it will be considered temporary ownership and subject to income tax.

In fiscal year 2023, 22.8 billion yen in cash was reported as lost property nationwide.