Key facts
- Shinjuku ward in Tokyo will ban over half of its short-term holiday rentals starting June 15.
- The ban is a response to over 1,300 resident complaints about noise, waste, and trespassing.
- The measure could affect up to 2,000 of the ward's 3,775 private lodgings.
- The number of rental days in residential areas will be reduced from 180 to 120 per year.
Shinjuku ward, a major tourist hub in Tokyo, is set to implement a significant ban on short-term holiday rentals, affecting over half of the available accommodations. This measure, effective June 15, aims to address a surge in resident complaints concerning noise, improper waste disposal, and trespassing. The ward believes that revoking licenses for individual misbehaving operators is insufficient, leading to the decision to revise local ordinances. This move reflects a broader concern in Japan about the impact of mass tourism, often termed 'tourism pollution,' on local communities and living environments. Other tourist hotspots like Kyoto have already implemented stricter limits on short-term rentals, and areas near Mount Fuji are introducing fees and visitor caps to manage overcrowding. Japan recorded a record 42 million visitors last year, with the government targeting 60 million by 2030.