AI-assisted lost-and-found services become a reality in Japan
AI to the Rescue: Track Your Lost Items with Ease in Japan
Ever left something on the train and thought it was gone forever? Well, AI might just be your new best friend in Japan! Publictransportation services and similar organizations are jumping on the AI bandwagon to categorize, archive, and furnish info on misplaced items, making it a breeze to get them back.
Over 30 firms have teamed up with Tokyo-based tech firm Find Inc., introducing their lost-and-found platform at approximately 2,300 stations and locations across the nation. Some of the participating services include Sapporo City Transportation Bureau, Haneda airport, Tokyo police force, Oita prefectural police, and Keio Corp. railway.
When it comes to locating lost items, the process is straightforward - transportation workers snap pictures of the items with their tablets, which Find's AI-powered system then catalogs based on color, shape, and features. The collected data, including photos, is stored in a database and can be searched via popular messaging apps such as Line by inputting associated details.
Even if you can't provide a photo or offer a vague description of your lost item, Find's AI wizards can still help! It analyzes the entered information and presents multiple likely candidates in decreasing order of probability. If it detects a match, it directs you to the nearest station or counter to retrieve your item. The service is easily accessible, being available in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean.
With the AI system's adoption, Keio Corp has seen a 30% increase in returned lost items, up from less than 10% before the implementation. Other service providers, such as Yurikamome Inc, have reported a significant decrease in inquiries since introducing the AI system. This enhanced lost-and-found service provides a more efficient solution, streamlining the process and saving valuable time for both service providers and customers.
The Tokyo and Oita police departments have also integrated the system into their lost-and-found services. With the AI system, items can be returned faster and more efficiently, reducing the need for manual verification from warehouse storage spaces. Facilities at Hakata Station, Fukuoka, have adopted the service collectively, allowing customers to inquire about lost items at a single point rather than multiple locations around the building.
Find Inc launched its platform in June 2023, and as of March 2025, it has handled a cumulative total of approximately 1.5 million lost items, with around 480,000 successfully returned. As more facilities join the movement, locating misplaced items will become simpler, thanks to the power of AI and its database covering multiple locations.
At its core, the AI-based lost-and-found platform developed by Find Inc is designed to offer enhanced efficiency, convenience, and accuracy for both transportation services and police departments. By adopting this technology, lost items can be processed and returned faster, improving customer satisfaction, and saving time and resources for service providers.
- In Japan, AI is revolutionizing lost-and-found services, particularly in public transportation, as AI-powered systems help to recover misplaced items quickly.
- AI technology has been incorporated by over 30 firms, including Sapporo City Transportation Bureau, Tokyo police force, and Keio Corp. railway.
- Find Inc's AI system catalogs lost items based on color, shape, and features, making it easier for users to find their lost belongings.
- The AI system can analyze entered information and present multiple possible matches, directing users to the nearest location to retrieve their items.
- The service is multilingual, offering support in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean, making it accessible to a diverse range of users.
- With the integration of AI technology, Keio Corp and other service providers have reported significant improvements, such as a 30% increase in returned items and a decrease in inquiries.
