Tokyo Minpaku Firm Referred to Prosecutors for Illegal Operations

Tokyo, Jan. 27 (Jiji Press)–Tokyo police referred a “minpaku” private lodging operator in the Japanese capital and two Chinese nationals, including its leader, to public prosecutors Tuesday on suspicion of offering its services on weekdays in violation of a local regulation and ignoring an improvement order. The company and individuals allegedly breached the law on private lodging business. The suspects have admitted the allegations in questioning by the Metropolitan Police Department. The 34-year-old male leader of the company, K-carve Life, based in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward, told investigators that he believed its services were acceptable because other operators were doing the same. The MPD called on the prosecutors to indict the suspects. The case marked the first crackdown on a minpaku operator in Japan under the private lodging business law. The law took effect in 2018, allowing minpaku services to be offered after notification to relevant local governments. According to the MPD, the company is suspected of filing a false report that its minpaku facility in Tokyo’s Arakawa Ward operated for eight days in June-July 2024 although it actually hosted guests for 49 days, including weekdays, despite the ward’s ordinance banning weekday operations. In addition, the firm failed to comply with a business improvement order issued by the ward office in December the same year. K-carve Life operates 21 private lodging units in Tokyo. The Arakawa Ward facility generated a total of about 22 million yen in sales in and after March 2022. The suspects told the police that sales increased roughly sixfold by allowing guests to stay on weekdays. The facility has been subject to repeated on-site inspections and administrative guidance by public health officials. Since 2022, police have received 13 emergency calls related to noise complaints and illegal garbage dumping at the site. A notice was on the door of the facility warning guests not to open it, citing frequent fraud attempts by people posing as public health officials and others. The MPD suspects that the notice was intended to evade inspections by authorities. The police said they will continue to work with local authorities to crack down on illegal minpaku operators. Local governments regulate the number of business days for minpaku facilities under their respective ordinances, in order to protect the living environment of residents near such facilities. Operators are obliged to deal with complaints from nearby residents. But some do not respond quickly to administrative guidance from local governments. Malicious minpaku operators that cause trouble should be eliminated, Toshio Oue, an official at the Japan Association of Private Accommodations, said, while noting that most operators abide by rules and regulations. “It’s important that (the MPD) showed the stance of protecting the lives of residents and not allowing illegal acts,” said Toru Azuma, professor at Rikkyo University’s College of Tourism, who is well versed in issues related to minpaku services. “For local residents, minpaku facilities that are not properly managed are a threat,” he said, adding, “I think it’s time to review the minpaku system to prevent malicious operators from entering the market.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]