You're standing in Sir Book-a-lot, surrounded by the smell of old paper and the groans of the undead outside. In front of you are two guys who look completely terrified. They’re bowing, they’re talking fast, and you? You have no idea what they’re saying. This is the Dead Rising Japanese tourists scoop, and honestly, if you don't know the trick, it's one of the most frustrating moments in the game.
Most people just mash the talk button. Frank West shrugs. The tourists, Shinji Kitano and Yuu Tanaka, just keep babbling in Japanese. You might think the game is bugged. It isn't. You just literally cannot speak their language.
The Secret to the Japanese Tourists Scoop
The "Japanese Tourists" mission usually pops up on Day 2 around 10:00 PM. Otis will give you a ring about some guys spotted in Wonderland Plaza. When you get there, you’ll find them in the bookstore on the second floor.
Here is the thing: Frank is a great photographer, but he’s not a linguist. To get them to follow you, you need the Japanese Conversation book.
Where is it? It’s literally right there. Look behind the counter of the bookstore (Sir Book-a-lot). It’s a yellow book. Pick it up. Once it’s in your inventory, talk to them again. Frank will struggle through some broken Japanese, they’ll realize you’re trying to help, and they’ll join your party.
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Expert Tip: Before you leave the store, wait for them to bow. If you snap a photo of them bowing, you get a massive PP bonus. It’s one of the easiest "Photo Ops" in the game if you're patient for three seconds.
Why Everyone Hates Escorting Shinji and Yuu
Escorting survivors in Dead Rising is already a nightmare. The AI is... well, it's from 2006 (or a very faithful remaster). Shinji and Yuu are particularly "special" because of how they move.
- Shinji follows Yuu: Shinji doesn't actually follow Frank; he follows Yuu. This means if Yuu gets stuck on a potted plant or a bench, Shinji just stands there like a target.
- The "Slow" Factor: They aren't the fastest runners.
- The Wonderland Problem: Wonderland Plaza is a death trap at night. If you haven't dealt with Adam the Clown yet, you’ve got a chainsaw-juggling psychopath right outside the door.
Honestly, the best way to handle this is to use Waypoints. Don't just shout "Come on!" and hope for the best. Aim and set a waypoint toward the exit. It forces the AI to commit to a path rather than constantly recalculating based on where Frank is standing.
Using the Secret Shortcut
If you want to keep these guys alive without losing your mind, you must use the shortcut.
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- Kill Adam the Clown (the "Out of Control" scoop).
- Get the small key from him and stop the "Space Rider" coaster.
- Talk to Greg Simpson (the guy who was on the ride).
- Follow Greg to the Women’s Restroom in Wonderland Plaza.
- He’ll show you a secret path that teleports you directly to the North Plaza/Paradise Plaza area.
If you have Shinji and Yuu with you, just drag them into that restroom. You bypass the entire Leisure Park section where the convicts in the jeep usually turn survivors into Swiss cheese.
Weapons and Survival
Don't let them go empty-handed. While they aren't combat gods, they are actually decent shots if you give them the right gear. Shinji is often cited as one of the better "gunner" survivors. Hand them some handguns or submachine guns you find in the North Plaza gun shop.
If they get grabbed, don't just swing your bat wildly. You'll hit them. Use the Jump Kick to knock zombies off them without taking a chunk out of their health bars.
Quick Stats for the Nerds
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Survivor Names | Shinji Kitano & Yuu Tanaka |
| Location | Wonderland Plaza, Sir Book-a-lot (2F) |
| Required Item | Japanese Conversation Book |
| PP Reward | 15,000 for joining, 30,000 for escorting |
| Shinji's Health | 5,000 (roughly) |
Common Misconceptions
A lot of players think you have to keep the Japanese Conversation book the whole time. You don't. Once they’ve agreed to follow you, feel free to toss that book in the trash to make room for more orange juice or a chainsaw.
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Also, people often think this mission is "optional" for a perfect run. Technically, every survivor is optional if you only care about the Truth, but if you want the Saint achievement (saving 50 survivors), these two are mandatory. Missing them is a massive blow because they are a "two-for-one" deal.
What Most Players Get Wrong
The biggest mistake? Trying to save them after the lights go out without a plan. At night, zombies get red eyes and become way more aggressive. If you're escorting two slow tourists through a dark mall, you're going to have a bad time.
If you are playing the Deluxe Remaster (DRDR), the AI is slightly better, but the logic remains the same. Grab the book, get the shortcut, and move fast. If you see a queen bee, use it. It clears the immediate area and gives Shinji and Yuu a chance to breathe.
Actionable Steps for Your Run
To make this as painless as possible, follow this exact sequence:
- Prep: Clear the "Out of Control" mission first to unlock the restroom shortcut.
- Inventory: Have at least one slot open for the Japanese Conversation book.
- The Save: Enter Sir Book-a-lot, grab the book from the counter, and talk to them until they join.
- The Photo: Wait for the bow! Take the picture for easy PP.
- The Exit: Immediately head to the North Plaza shortcut via the Wonderland restroom.
- Arm Them: If you have spare pistols, hand them over. It makes them feel useful.
By the time you get them back to the Security Room, you’ll have netted a cool 45,000+ PP and moved two steps closer to that Saint achievement. Just remember: the book is the key. No book, no tourists.