Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward to Ban “Minpaku” Biz in Residential Areas

Tokyo, Sept. 7 (Jiji Press)–Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward plans to basically ban “minpaku” private lodging operations in residential areas and near schools, in response to an increase in complaints, it was learned Monday. The ward plans to solicit public comments as early as October and submit an ordinance revision to the ward assembly in February. According to the Japan Tourism Agency, the number of homes registered for minpaku in Shinjuku stood at 3,775 as of July 15, the highest among municipalities nationwide. The figure rose further to 3,928 at the end of August, according to the ward. More than half of these facilities are believed to operate in residential areas or near schools. The ward’s planned ban would apply to both existing and new minpaku facilities in residential-only zones and educational districts designated under city planning. Existing facilities would be given a grace period after the ordinance revision takes effect. In commercial districts, the ward plans to reduce the annual operating limit to 120 days from the current 180 days to ease burdens on nearby residents. In fiscal 2025, the number of minpaku-related complaints, such as those concerning garbage disposal rules and noise, totaled 1,334. In fiscal 2026, the figure reached 510 as of the end of July, putting the annual total on track to surpass the previous year’s. A ward official attributed the increase in complaints to the growing number of minpaku facilities. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]