Japan is hailed as an incredibly safe country with one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Many anecdotes are told about returned lost wallets (with all the cash still inside), and you only have to look at the passed out drunk salary-men on the street to realise that they don't worry about passers-by stealing their possessions. (Disclaimer: Japan has a low crime rate but passing out drunk on the street is still not recommended.)

Much is made of Japan’s safety, which made one visitor feel compelled to conduct a little test.

Twitter user, Godfrey Chan (@chancancode) tested the limits of Japanese honesty by placing a tantalising 200 yen (about $2) in a highly visible elevated spot before leaving it unattended, hoping to draw out the ne’er-do-wells.

When you leave money out on display, there is usually only two possible outcomes. Either the coins remain in their place, or someone gives in to temptation and sneakily nabs the cash.

But somewhat proving Japan’s status as a unique country, a third, unexpected outcome came to pass.

When Godfrey returned to the spot, a third hundred yen coin had somehow appeared. This surprising development threw off his plan and left him unsure what to do with the mysterious newcomer.

Some commenters theorised that a passerby saw the coins and mistook it for a donation box, or a spiritual tribute like the statues you sometimes see at Japanese temples that are covered in coins.

Either way, Japan seems to have proved its status as not only one of the most honest countries, but considering how quickly someone was willing join in 'donating', also possibly one of the most generous.


By - Jess.