How many times have you come home in a taxi after a great night out, only to later realise that you’ve left your phone, bag or wallet in there when you jumped out? When you’re running low on fumes, or perhaps a leaking a few of your own after a heavy drinking session, checking for forgotten items is usually the last thing on your mind, but it can really put a dampener on an evening when we realise we’re missing something valuable.
Thankfully, help is at hand! Japan’s Kokusai Motors announced on September 9 that it is currently researching and developing a lost property detector system for use inside taxis as part of a joint venture with IDEA CROSS INC. The system is scheduled to enter trial stages this month and is expected to go into widespread use sometime this year.

Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
Taste-testing Japan’s real-world Dragon Balls and Senzu Beans at Marugame Seimen
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Day 2 of our quest to visit all the Pokémon manhole covers in Tottori【Photos】
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Here are Japan’s favorite ice creams from last month! Vanilla wins by a mile…
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
The best Hobonichi diaries, covers and stationery for 2026
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
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
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
Day 2 of our quest to visit all the Pokémon manhole covers in Tottori【Photos】
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Here are Japan’s favorite ice creams from last month! Vanilla wins by a mile…
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
The best Hobonichi diaries, covers and stationery for 2026
Catch! Noodles and bowls fly through the air at this Japanese ramen restaurant
Vegetables are smarter than fruits: Three high IQ Japanese veggies
Hana Komon: Japan’s beautiful, samurai-style floral birthday crests
Eight Ways You Really, Really Shouldn’t Use a Japanese Toilet
Starbucks Japan unveils new Sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2025
7-Eleven Japan now sells…matcha burritos?!?
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Our reporter is willing to die on the pseudo-Italian restaurant Olive Hill
Uniqlo Pokémon T-shirts coming to Japan this summer, in 24 crazy designs