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
New Transforming Business Card case brings anime mecha to Japanese work meetings
Studio Ghibli adds new finger puppets to its anime merchandise collection in Japan
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Go to hell! …at a limited time historical art exhibit coming to Osaka
Lego PlayStation recreates Sony’s original console, makes unusual choice for games to salute
New Pokémon anniversary song is 22 minutes long, features all 1,025 Pokémon species [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new coffee table book featuring 18 of the most unique stores around the country
7-Eleven Japan releases new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing range for autumn, with a must-try daifuku and teriyaki burger
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
New Japanese convenience store rice balls taste like instant noodles [Taste test]
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Japan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here!
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Family Mart releases Famima convenience store products nationwide, but which ones are worth buying?
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】