Shinjuku plans to ban more than half of its holiday rentals
Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
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- Tokyo’s Shinjuku ward plans to ban more than half of its short-term rentals, including Airbnb properties, in residential areas and near schools.
- Residents have complained about improper rubbish disposal, smoking, noise and trespassing, with complaints rising by about 40% in the year to March.
- The proposal follows broader efforts in Japan and elsewhere to curb the effects of overtourism and regulate private lodging.
More than half of Shinjuku’s holiday rentals could disappear under rules aimed at easing growing friction between tourists and residents in one of Tokyo’s busiest districts.
The ward plans to revise its ordinance to ban private lodging in residential zones and areas near schools. The change would apply to existing properties, including homes listed on Airbnb, and is expected to be formally announced by the Shinjuku mayor on Tuesday.
planning to revise the current ordinance ... to ban private lodging
A Shinjuku official overseeing holiday rentals said complaints and other problems had increased as the number of private lodging businesses grew. Residents have reported violations of rubbish disposal rules, smoking in prohibited places, excessive noise and trespassing. Complaints rose by around 40% in the fiscal year ending in March.
As the number of private lodging businesses has risen, complaints and troubles around them have increased
Shinjuku hosts nearly 10% of Japan’s 42,000 short-term rentals, while also having a large residential population. The ward’s planned restrictions follow a July decision by the Japan Tourism Agency allowing municipalities to regulate short-term accommodation when it threatens a quiet living and educational environment or hinders the maintenance of permanent communities.
Other Japanese tourist destinations face similar tensions. Kyoto is considering a ban on new short-term rentals in residential and industrial areas, while residents in Kyoto and other hotspots have raised concerns about crowds, traffic congestion and rising land prices. Cities including New York and Barcelona have also moved to restrict private lodging.
Many complaints are about the violation of trash disposal rules while others include smoking and trespassing
About this summary
Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.
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