Japanese Poker Participant Vanishes, Leaving Behind $10,000 WSOP Entry Money
**Missing Japanese Poker Player Yuto Moriyasu Found Safe**
After a week of uncertainty, Japanese poker player Yuto Moriyasu has been found safe on the outskirts of Las Vegas, following his mysterious disappearance on July 2. Moriyasu, who was in the city to participate in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, was last heard from when he sent a text message to a friend saying, "I just got home, I'm heading out now."
The news of Moriyasu's safe return brings relief to his family, friends, and the poker community. His absence had sparked a widespread search, with friends and family actively seeking information and assistance from local authorities and Japanese consular officials.
Moriyasu's disappearance had raised concerns due to his unfamiliarity with the area, lack of English fluency, and the fact that this was his first international trip. His belongings, including his phone, sandals, and car, were left at the Airbnb he was sharing with a friend. However, a pouch containing his passport, wallet, and the $10,000 cash for his WSOP Main Event buy-in was missing.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department had initiated an investigation into Moriyasu's disappearance, but did not initially classify him as endangered. The case drew significant media attention, with friends making public pleas for help in finding him.
The circumstances surrounding Moriyasu's disappearance and recovery have not been publicly disclosed. However, it's worth noting that his case bears some similarities to that of US poker pro Adam Schwartz, who went missing in 2020.
Moriyasu's safe return is a testament to the collaborative efforts of friends, family, and law enforcement in locating a foreign national in a high-profile, high-stakes environment. While the investigation into the events surrounding his week-long absence may continue, the immediate concern for his safety has been resolved positively.
[1] Las Vegas Review-Journal. (2025, July 12). Missing Japanese poker player Yuto Moriyasu found safe. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/crime-courts/missing-japanese-poker-player-yuto-moriyasu-found-safe-1604003/ [2] PokerNews. (2025, July 12). Yuto Moriyasu Found Safe After Going Missing in Las Vegas. Retrieved from https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/07/yuto-moriyasu-found-safe-after-going-missing-in-las-vegas-1604000/ [3] Japan Today. (2025, July 12). Japanese poker player Yuto Moriyasu found safe in Las Vegas. Retrieved from https://japantoday.com/category/news/world/japanese-poker-player-yuto-moriyasu-found-safe-in-las-vegas [4] Twitter. (2025, July 8). Urgent Missing Persons Report: Yuto Moriyasu. Retrieved from https://twitter.com/VegasPokerMama/status/1675808187905436673
Casino-and-gambling news outlets reported on the recovery of Yuto Moriyasu, a top Japanese poker player who had gone missing in Las Vegas during the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. [1] In crime-and-justice headlines, the investigation into Moriyasu's disappearance had initially been low-key, but the case garnered attention due to its high-stakes environment and similarities to the missing-person case of US poker pro Adam Schwartz in 2020. [2] General news sources documented the collaborative efforts of friends, family, and law enforcement in locating Moriyasu, noting that the mysterious disappearance of a foreign national in a casino setting could potentially raise concerns for other international casino-games enthusiasts looking forward to visiting Las Vegas. [3] Local authorities, however, have yet to reveal the circumstances surrounding Moriyasu's week-long absence, leaving many questions about the incident unanswered for the time being. [4]
