From Misplaced to Recovered: Japan Uses AI to Speed Up Lost-and-Found Services

AI System Revolutionises Lost-and-Found Services in Japan's Public Transport

Lost something on public transport?

Many resign themselves to never seeing it again, a truly frustrating experience.

However, a new artificial intelligence (AI) system is changing that narrative, providing an innovative solution to help people track down their lost possessions with remarkable accuracy.

AI Enhances Lost-Item Recovery Efficiency

A growing number of public transportation services and institutions across Japan are turning to AI to streamline their lost-and-found processes.

About 30 organisations, including major players like the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, Haneda Airport, and the Sapporo City Transportation Bureau, have adopted an AI-driven platform developed by Tokyo-based IT firm Find Inc.

The platform is now in use at around 2,300 stations and facilities, helping to reunite individuals with their belongings more quickly than ever before.

Before the introduction of this technology, returning lost items to their rightful owners was often a time-consuming and disorganised task.

Now, with the power of AI, the process is faster, more efficient, and less reliant on manual checks.

For example, Tokyo’s Keio Corporation has seen its lost-item recovery rate soar to 30%, a significant increase from less than 10% prior to adopting the system.

How Does the AI System Work?

When an item is found and handed in, staff members take a photo of the lost item using a tablet.

An employee at Shimbashi Station on the Yurikamome line searches the FIND database for misplaced belongings.

The AI system then processes the image, analysing features such as colour, shape, and size, and stores this information in a centralised database.

This allows staff to easily search for matching items based on specific criteria.

People who lose items can also use platforms like Line to report their missing belongings.

They provide as much detail as possible—such as the location where the item was lost, its colour, and its shape—and, if possible, upload a photo.

In the absence of a photo, users can select a similar image from the platform.

The AI system then matches their description to the images in the database and presents potential matches.

A visual guide showing how FIND utilises AI to streamline the process of locating lost items on public transport.

Even if a person cannot recall all the specifics about their lost item, the AI generates a list of possibilities in order of probability, guiding the person to the right location where they can retrieve the item once confirmed.

Streamlining the Process for Greater Convenience

The benefits of this system extend beyond the convenience for users.

For organisations like Yurikamome, which operates a monorail service in Tokyo, the transition from manual Excel spreadsheets to an AI-powered system has drastically reduced the time spent searching for lost items.

Yurikamome handles around 15,000 lost items each year, and according to Kiyomichi Mano, an official at Shimbashi Station, the number of inquiries about lost property has significantly decreased thanks to the new system.

Mano remarked,

"It's much faster now. Being able to use photos was a huge help for users. The service made everything so much easier."

The AI system also eases the workload for police departments handling lost property.

An official from the Oita Prefectural Police commented that the platform has sped up the return process, eliminating the need to go to storage warehouses to verify the items manually.

A Growing Network of Lost-and-Found Services

The AI platform’s adoption continues to expand, with other facilities such as Fukuoka’s Hakata Station joining the network.

Now, rather than making inquiries at various points around the station, lost items can be tracked and retrieved from a centralised location, further simplifying the process for the public.

Since its launch in June 2023, the system has managed over 1.6 million lost items, with the number successfully returned now exceeding 533,000.

Ryu Wada, CEO of Find Inc., remarked,

“Until now, people had to check multiple places by phone. But with the growing adoption of this service, the vast database makes it much easier to track down lost items.”

A Future of Increased Efficiency in Japan’s Public Transport

The AI system is not just a boon for the users but is also reshaping how transportation companies and other institutions approach lost-and-found services.

As more facilities embrace the technology, the platform is expected to make finding lost items even easier, ensuring that fewer possessions are lost for good.

In a country where efficiency is key, this innovative approach to handling lost property is a welcome step toward improving customer service and convenience.

For commuters, it’s a clear sign that technology is now an integral part of everyday life in Japan.