Hi! It’s Sensei.
“My wallet (Saifu / 財布) is gone!”
“My residence card and cash card were all inside… what should I do!”
You might be reading this article feeling like you want to cry right now.
But first, let’s take a deep breath.
Japan is the country where lost wallets are most likely to be returned in the world.
Don’t give up—if you act now following these steps, you’ll be fine. Sensei is with you!
STEP 1: Go to the “Police Box (Koban / 交番)” Immediately
The very first thing to do is not to call your company’s president.
Go to the nearest “Police Box (Koban / 交番).”
👮 The police will not arrest you!
Many trainees are afraid that “If I go to the police, they will check my visa and get angry,” but that is a mistake.
Japanese police officers will help you when you are in trouble.
When you enter the Koban, say this to the officer.
🗣️ “Magic Words” to show directly at the police station
If you are worried about your Japanese, please show this screen to the police officer.
すみません。財布（さいふ）を落（お）としました。
「遺失物届（いしつぶつとどけ）」を出（だ）したいです。
在留（ざいりゅう）カードも入（はい）っています。
(Excuse me. I lost my wallet. I would like to file a Lost Property Report (Ishitsubutsu-todoke). My residence card is also inside.)
What you must get:
After filling out the documents, you will receive a memo with a “Receipt Number (Juri Bango / 受理番号).”
This is absolutely necessary for reissuing your residence card, so do not throw it away!
STEP 2: Stop your Bank Account and Smartphone
Once the police procedures are finished (or while waiting), call your bank.
This is to prevent someone else from withdrawing your money.
-
🏦 Yucho Bank (JP Bank / ゆうちょ銀行)
Card Loss Center: 0120-794-889 (Free) -
💳 Credit Card (Kurejitto Kaado / クレジットカード)
You probably don’t know the number written on the back of the card.
Search Google for “(Card company name) lost card” and give them a call.
STEP 3: Reissue your Residence Card (Within 14 days!)
This is the most important part.
If you lose your residence card, you must go to Immigration (Nyukan / 入管) “within 14 days.”
If you exceed this period, it will be a violation of the law.
🏢 Things to bring to Immigration
- Passport (Pasupooto / パスポート)
- 1 Face Photo (Kao-shashin / 顔写真 3cm × 4cm)
- Memo of the “Receipt Number (Juri Bango)” from the police
- Fee (Tesuryo / 手数料): 1,600 yen (Revenue Stamps / Shunyu Inshi)
In many cases, you can receive the new card on the same day.
STEP 4: Report to your Company and get your Insurance Card
The company will handle the reissuance procedure for your Health Insurance Card (Hoken-sho / 保険証).
Tell your president or administrative staff, “I lost my wallet, so please reissue my insurance card.”
*It may take about 2 weeks for the reissue.
Summary: Have you taken photos?
I (Sensei) am praying that your wallet comes back.
Even if it doesn’t, you are safe and sound, so it’s okay.
【Future Measures】
For important cards (Residence card, passbook, passport), take a photo with your smartphone and save it.
That way, you will know the numbers immediately!
👇 Check once more which cards are important!
📑 “4 Documents” You Must Never Throw Away
