EXCLUSIVE: Japan to Tackle Problematic “Minpaku” Lodgings

Tokyo, Jan. 6 (Jiji Press)–Japan aims to step up actions against the operators of “minpaku” private lodging services found to be causing disturbances in surrounding areas, Jiji Press has learned. The Japan Tourism Agency will consider reviewing its guidelines on the private lodging business law as early as fiscal 2026 to set standards for local governments to issue administrative punishments to malicious minpaku operators, sources said. Demand for minpaku services, which rent out vacant rooms in houses and condominiums mainly to tourists, is growing due to an increase in visitors to Japan. But some minpaku operators are not appropriately addressing complaints from nearby residents about noise and garbage left by guests. Minpaku operators are required by law to respond to complaints, in addition to submitting notices of their business operations to prefectural governments that supervise them and maintaining hygiene conditions. Operators who fail to fulfill these requirements are subject to administrative penalties including business closure orders. But according to the agency, such a penalty had been issued on the grounds of frequent complaints only once between June 2018, when the private lodging business law took effect, and March 2025. Local governments often find themselves unable to issue penalties as it is difficult to confirm the facts regarding the disturbances that prompted complaints, the agency said. In light of this, the agency is considering cooperating with some prefectural governments to make clearer the procedures for issuing administrative guidance and penalties against the operators of minpaku sites frequently causing disturbances. “We want to create standards regarding the extent to which facts should be confirmed before local governments can issue administrative penalties,” an agency official said. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]