Japan to enforce minpaku regulations in June

Japan will enforce its Private Lodging Business law on a later date than originally expected, with the legislation set to allow short-term rentals while also putting in place new rules to regulate the running of private lodging businesses.

It was previously reported in the media that the law could come into force this month, but the date is now set at June 15, 2018, according to an announcement made at the 32nd Meeting of ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea NTOs, which took place on January 24 at ATF.

Minpakus will in June become legal in Japan, but also subject to tighter regulations

At the meeting, it was also announced that there will be a new system for private lodging operators, administrators and agents to communicate property and reservation information.

The system will be supervised by prefectural governors, the Japan Tourism Agency and its parent Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Yasuto Kawarabayashi, vice commisioner, Japan Tourism Agency, said the new rules will provide government with “appropriate regulation” of increasingly popular private lodging (minpaku) services, and is “needed to ensure public health, prevent troubles with residents and address illegal minpaku”.

This follows after the Private Lodgings Business Bill was passed in June last year. As part of the Bill, owners will be allowed to rent out unoccupied homes or rooms as accommodation for a total of up to 180 days per year, it was revealed last year.

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