A found-item information management server is able to hand a lost item
over to the owner early with a high probability. When the finder of a
found item sends found-item information to the found-item information
management server using a first terminal, a found-item reporting unit
registers the found-item information, partly as secret particular
information, in a found-item information database. Thereafter, the owner
of the found item sends a request to refer to the found-item information
registered in the found-item information database using a second
terminal. An information disclosing unit sends the found-item information
registered in the found-item information database, except for the
particular information, to the second terminal. When the owner sends
lost-item information to the found-item information management server
using the second terminal, a match determining unit determines a match
between the lost-item information and the particular information stored
in the found-item information database, and sends a determined result to
the second terminal.