Filipino tourists urged to stay vigilant amid rising passport losses in Osaka

January 16, 2026 – 5:28 PM

A Philippine passport (Interaksyon/File Photo)

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Filipino tourists were advised to remain vigilant about their belongings after the

Philippine Consulate General in Osaka, Japan,

issued a warning regarding passport losses in the area.

The consulate noted an increase in the number of Filipino tourists who have recently lost their important travel documents in Osaka and nearby areas.

“Bags, wallets, and documents should not be left unattended. Extra care is needed especially in busy areas,” it further said.

The consulate also warned that losing a passport is “costly and stressful,” adding that it “can result in missed flights and force travelers to rebook at their own expense.”

“Applying for a travel document is also time-consuming and requires the payment of prescribed government fees. A few seconds of securing your passport can prevent serious inconvenience and expense. Protect your passport. Protect your trip,” it said.

“This is why if you can, put an AirTag or any Apple [or] Google compatible tracker [in] your Passport, not just on luggage. This saved me multiple times on my travels. Just ensure to also get a passport case that can house both passport and tracker,” a

Redditor

said.

“Ayun lang. Ingatan palagi na lang [belongings], better na magdala ng strap bag tapos nasa harap most of the time para ligtas,” another

wrote

“Happened to my sister sa Uniqlo sa may Dotonbori, naiwan niya sa shopping basket. Dahil dun, ‘di ako nakapag-shopping sa Supreme, lol. We were gearing up to go to a koban (at that point, ‘di pa namin alam na nasa Uniqlo lang pala.) Buti na lang nasa counter pa lang when we got back,” a different

user

said.

Japan is one of the most popular destinations for Filipino tourists, who visit to experience its cuisine, go sightseeing, and shop at outlets, among other activities.

Meanwhile, a passport is a travel document issued by a government to its citizens that verifies the holder’s identity and nationality for the purpose of international travel.