How many Japanese passerby return the lost wallet to its owner?
We’ve seen examples time and time again of how honest the people of Japan are. In many countries where leaving your property alone in plain sight for five seconds means it’s basically already gone, it can be a little hard to believe.
So to test out just how honest the Japanese people really are, Japanese YouTuber Zenim at the channel Monkey Python decided to carry out a little social experiment.
He walked around the Harajuku area and intentionally dropped his wallet immediately after passing by some people. He then kept walking and waited to see if anyone returned the wallet, of if they kept the leather treasure for themselves.
How many of the 15 tests ended in honesty? Watch the video below to find out:
▼ Living in the U.S., I can personally attest that I have had $0 returned to me that I’ve lost over the years, so these are some heartwarming statistics.
▼ But are they true? YouTuber Zenim and his wallet are about to find out.
▼ The first drop. Down goes the wallet inconspicuously out the back pocket.
▼ We’ve got a spotter! Will they return it, or pocket the pocketbook?
▼ And they return it! Score one for the green, “honest monkeys”.
▼ The next dropped wallet gets spotted instantly. Is that woman excited to return it, or to get some free easy cash?
▼ Honesty wins out again. Go, green team!
▼ And the wallet keeps getting returned again…
▼ …and again…
▼ …and again, all the way to the end.
That’s 15 out of 15 returned for a final score of…
▼ One hundred-percent! If there are any doubters out there, it’s hard to argue with a one hundred-percent return rate.
Of course, to be fair, the experiment isn’t perfect. Zenim did drop the wallet in a very public place, so chances are there were others besides the person who returned it who saw him drop it. That makes it harder to stuff the wallet in your own pocket knowing that there might be judging eyes out there watching what you do.
It would be interesting to run a similar experiment in a more private setting where there would be no such public consequences and see if the results were the same. Either that, or, we can stop testing the Japanese people’s honesty and just appreciate them for being awesome. That works too!
What would you do in the same situation? Would you return the wallet, or grab it and run in the opposite direction? And, to add another layer to the question, would it make a difference if you found the wallet in Japan or your home country? Let us know!
Source: YouTube/Monkey Python via grapee
Images: YouTube/Monkey Python
Saudi Arabian TV tempts would-be thieves in Tokyo to test Japan’s honesty
Video of kids reacting to strangers dropping their wallets might restore your faith in humanity
Japanese woman finds wallet with 1 million yen, does the right thing, then something even better
“Otaku” YouTuber confronts Tokyo tough-guy litterers, who’ve got no idea who they’re dealing with
Japanese YouTuber goes to Argentinian slum to make “impactful video”, gets robbed instead
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Sailor Moon’s Artemis is part of the Artemis II NASA mission control team[Video]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Small Hokkaido bookshop’s unique service is getting business from all over Japan
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Japanese people react to the outrageous behavior of “monster” new company recruits
Japan’s prime minister exchanges Dragon Ball kamehamehas with president of France[Video]
We spill the tea on Starbucks’ newest hojicha cream Frappuccino and latte【Taste test】
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro 2026 Corn Gift to its anime store for Mother’s Day
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Disgraced YouTuber Hezumaryu to run in next Japanese national election
Food ASMR YouTuber caught spitting cheese tonkatsu out on camera【Video】
Are these normal Japanese things weird to you? 10 things that might surprise you when you visit Japan
Six types of Japanese people you’ll meet while living in Japan — An illustrated guide