The Private Lodging Business Law, which stipulates rules for operating "minpaku" private lodging facilities, came into force Friday.
Under the so-called minpaku law, private lodging businesses are allowed if registrations are filed with local governments. Hopes are high that such minpaku facilities, which utilize vacant rooms and other spaces, can accommodate the rapidly increasing number of foreign tourists. However, the minpaku law has made an unspectacular start, with the number of business registrations standing at a low level as the law has set strict regulations.
On Friday morning, major convenience store operator FamilyMart Co. installed a locker at one of its outlets in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, where many foreign tourists visit, to allow minpaku guests to receive and deposit room keys there. Guests can receive their room keys after using an attached tablet computer to confirm their identity through facial and passport verification.
The company plans to set up such lockers at about 150 outlets by February 2019 in Tokyo, Osaka and other areas with many foreign visitors. It hopes the service will lead minpaku guests to make purchases at its convenience stores.
Amid a surge in the number of foreign visitors, making reservations for hotels and other lodging facilities, particularly in big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, has become difficult. The government has set a goal of bringing the number of visitors to Japan to 40 million in 2020 from about 28.69 million in 2017. It hopes that minpaku facilities, which use private housing space, hold the key to resolving a shortage of accommodations.
U.S.-based Airbnb Inc., the world's largest private lodging intermediary website operator, had more than 60,000 registrations in Japan as of this spring. However, according to a tally by the Japan Tourism Agency, the number of minpaku operators registered with prefectural governments and other entities across the nation stood at 2,707 from March 15, when registrations began, to June 8.
Before the law took effect, private lodging businesses were allowed only in national strategic special zones or with required approval based on the Inns and Hotels Law.
Some observers point out that the practice of "illegal minpaku" gradually became widespread, accounting for most minpaku facilities. The new law is thus also aimed at eliminating illegal minpaku operators by clarifying the rules for private lodging businesses. Indeed, many operators have left the minpaku business with the new law coming into force.
A series of minpaku-related problems, such as noise and inappropriate garbage disposal by guests, has been reported by people living near minpaku accommodations. The new law requires minpaku operators to take such measures as putting up signs indicating their facilities are legitimate and having guest registry books in which guests' names, passport numbers and other information are entered. These measures are aimed at preventing problems with residents in nearby areas and ensuring the safety and adequate hygiene of guests, among other reasons. In consideration for residents living near minpaku accommodations, some local governments have established their own ordinances to impose stricter regulations, such as setting a maximum number of days private lodging facilities may operate.
Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Keiichi Ishii emphasized at a press conference after a Cabinet meeting on Friday: "We'll work closely with relevant organizations to counter illegal private lodging businesses. We will make every effort to promote sound minpaku services."
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