Japan is cracking down on short-term private lodgings such as those operated by Airbnb by allowing local governments to ban them in residential areas amid complaints of lodgers partying at night, ignoring trash rules and leaving cigarette butts on the streets.
The tourism agency is not introducing a blanket nationwide ban on minpaku, a type of private lodging service. The agency is, however, issuing a nonbinding recommendation to local governments later this month, under which each municipality can amend their ordinances to implement stricter regulations on such services if they wish to do so.
¡°We are considering including provisions that would allow local municipalities to restrict minpaku operations through local ordinances in cases where short-term rentals are expected to expand and the increase in number of guests could undermine the quiet residential living conditions and educational environment nearby,¡± said Japan Tourism Agency chief Shigeki Murata at a regular news conference held on Wednesday.
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