# Missing British child in Japan

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/missing-british-child-in-japan
> Updated: 2026-08-16T18:25:11.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 2.

On August 13, 2026, 12-year-old British schoolgirl Carmelita Lakdesha Paul went missing during a family holiday in Tokyo. CCTV footage showed her leaving a rental in the Kamata area of Ota Ward, traveling by train to Yokohama Station. At the time of her disappearance, she had left without her passport or smartphone, carrying only a small amount of cash.

Approximately 59 hours after leaving her family’s accommodation in the Minami-Kamata district, Paul was found safe at a police box in Yokohama on the evening of August 15. Investigations indicated that she had traveled to the area to visit locations associated with anime and had spent time in internet cafes. 

Japanese police stated there were no indications of criminal involvement. After expressing that she missed her parents, the girl sought assistance from the police and has since been reunited with her family.

## Claims

- Carmelita Lakdesha Paul, a 12-year-old British girl, was found safe in Yokohama on Saturday night. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The girl traveled to Yokohama to visit locations associated with anime. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The 12-year-old girl was found unharmed. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The girl left her family's accommodation in Tokyo without her cell phone or passport. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The girl sought help at a police box after missing her parents. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Carmelita Lakdesha Paul left her family's accommodation in Tokyo without her cell phone or passport. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The girl told police she visited an internet cafe and locations associated with anime. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The girl appeared at a police box in Yokohama on Saturday evening. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Police found no indication that the girl was involved in a criminal offense. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-16: British girl, 12, found safe in Japan after disappearing to visit anime sites

A 12-year-old British girl missing in Japan has been found safe in Yokohama after traveling alone to visit anime-related locations.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/british-girl-12-found-safe-in-japan-after-disappearing-to-visit-anime-sites

### 2026-08-14: British schoolgirl missing in Tokyo during family holiday

A search is underway in Japan for 12-year-old British schoolgirl Carmelita Lakdesha Paul, who went missing from a Tokyo rental on August 13 after traveling toward Yokohama.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/british-girl-12-missing-in-tokyos-ota-ward

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Cite as: Missing British child in Japan. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/missing-british-child-in-japan