
21-year-old German tourist was last heard from over a week ago.
Police in Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture are searching for Claudio Worm, a tourist from Germany whose last contact with family was nearly two weeks ago.
▼ A photo of Worm, posted by the German consulate in Osaka
【#ドイツ人行方不明者 Claudio Wormさんを捜しています】
10月11日を最後に連絡が取れなくなっています
パスポートと携帯電話は和歌山市駅近くで見つかりました
何か情報がありましたら和歌山県警察本部人身安全対策課 073-423-0110・和歌山西警察署073-424-0110 へご連絡をお願いします#拡散希望 pic.twitter.com/V3xAdbm4u4— ドイツ総領事館 (@GermanyinWestjp) October 21, 2024
Worm, a 21-year-old university student, entered Japan on September 21 for sightseeing during his school’s vacation period. He spent the first part of his trip in Tokyo before moving to Wakayama, in the central section of Japan’s main island of Honshu, on September 30. According to the Wakayama Prefectural Police, Worm had booked hotel accommodations in Wakayama from September 30 to October 10.
▼ A friend of Worm’s has also posted about his disappearance in English.
Hey guys, Claudio Worm, a friend of mine went missing in Wakayama, Japan last week. We would really appreciate if you could share this information! pic.twitter.com/UvNHCDqdlv
— Alina:) (@alynnasophie) October 19, 2024
Worm’s last contact with family or friends came at around 5 a.m. Japan-time on October 10, when he sent some photos and memories of his travels to his mother though a social media app. His passport and mobile phone have been found in the vicinity of Wakayamashi Station in Wakayama City, and examination of security camera footage showed a man who appeared to be Worm walking near the station at around 8 p.m. on October 11. Worm’s university classes were scheduled to restart on October 12.
Worm is described as 172 centimeters (67.7 inches) tall, with blond hair and a medium build, and in the security camera footage was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, off-white pants, and white sneakers and carrying a black backpack. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wakayama Prefectural Police Headquarters Personal Safety Division (phone number 073-423-0110) or the Wakayama Nishi Police Station (phone number 073-424-0110).
Source: MBS News, FNN Prime Online, Twitter/@GermanyinWestjp
Top image: Twitter/@GermanyinWestjp
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Body of missing foreign tourist in Japan found floating off coast of town he was last seen in
French woman with epilepsy has been missing in Japan since July 29, police announce
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Pokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
Akita Kanto Festival, one of Japan’s most spectacular summer festivals, gets an anime twist this year
Aichi city throws year-long 20th birthday bash for giant beckoning cat statue, Hello Kitty invited
7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store sandwiches with a wild new choc-mint variety
Final Fantasy plushie shoulder bags are fuzzy and functional [Photos]
Toyota Museum’s international retro vehicle parade returns to Aichi this autumn
U.S. government reportedly planning to close Nagoya consulate
Yoshinoya gets into fancy fish, but is the cheap beef king reaching too far? [Taste test]
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo
Studio Ghibli’s No Face twirls to sound of Spirited Away’s theme song in beautiful accessory box
Live-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
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
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]
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】