Imagine my surprise.

I had cycled over to Life (the large supermarket nearby) and first went to the side of the store that sells paper products. I bought some things like tissue paper, and it was in a very large bag, so before continuing shopping for food I went outside and left the bag in my bicycle basket.

Without giving it another thought, I went back into the food side of the store and did regular grocery shopping.

When I came out, I was very surprised to see that my bag had been stolen! In my 28 years in Japan, this had never happened to me!

I went to the customer counter to report it and ask if they had a security camera. They didn’t, but called the police for me. It wasn’t a very expensive purchase, but it was the principle of the thing.

While waiting for the police to arrive, the manager came running out of the store to the parking lot carrying my bag! He said somebody thought it was “forgotten” and had brought it to the Lost and Found. Why they would think it was forgotten since it was in my bicycle basket remains a mystery.

The manager said he would call the police and let them know it was found. I bowed and thanked him and he bowed back and I cycled off home.