#Japan #Tokyo #Housing Accommodation #Ward Leaders

Local Ward Leaders Push for Regulation of Housing Accommodation Business

On June 18th, a group of diligent local leaders from various wards, including Mayor Takagi Miyuki of Toshima, visited the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in Tokyo. Together with mayors from Shinjuku, Sumida, Katsushika, and Edogawa, they submitted a formal request to Minister Kaneko Yasuyuki regarding the proper regulation of the housing accommodation business.

This request was a collective effort from mayors of 21 wards who had shown their support during the Tokyo Special Wards Association meeting. The representatives from six wards decided to voice the concerns formally. Previous submissions have also been directed at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters and relevant ministries like Health, Labour and Welfare, as well as the Japan Tourism Agency.

Background of the Special Wards

The document highlights alarming statistics regarding housing accommodation registrations within Tokyo's special wards. As international inbound tourism numbers have surged, these wards have seen their registered accommodation numbers soar, comprising more than 40% of the national average. However, this rapid growth has not come without consequences. Residents have started to complain about noise, improper waste disposal, and disturbances to their living environments caused by the increase in short-term rentals.

Moreover, stakeholders have reported challenges in communicating with accommodation operators, leading to inadequate guidance and instances of unregistered operations. Such issues have prompted ward leaders to urgently request that the housing accommodation systems undergo necessary regulatory amendments tailored to local realities,

Mayor Takagi's Comments

Mayor Takagi emphasized, “Last December, we amended the ordinance regarding the proper operation of accommodation businesses in our ward to ensure that residents can enjoy a safe living environment. Compliance enforcement has grown stringent, and we continue to regulate improper operators to protect our community. Unfortunately, the number of complaints has still been rising.” He also stressed the necessity of enforcing stricter registration requirements for accommodation management companies, including prohibiting the transfer of management duties to ensure adequate oversight.

Furthermore, he advocated for legislative revisions that would enable effective regulations based on regional conditions while stressing the importance of prompt action to regulate the growing housing accommodation sector.

Summary of the Proposal Submission

• - Date of Submission: June 18, 2023, from 14:40 to 14:55.
• - Location: Office of Minister Kaneko Yasuyuki, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Tokyo.
• - Attendees: Minister Kaneko Yasuyuki, Mayor Takagi Miyuki, Mayor Yoshizumi Kenichi of Shinjuku, Mayor Yamamoto Toru of Sumida, Mayor Yamada Kanako of Kita, Mayor Aoki Katsunori of Katsushika, and Mayor Saito Takeo of Edogawa.
• - Request Document: The submitted proposal is focused on the proper regulation of housing accommodation businesses.

This coordinated initiative demonstrates commitment from local ward leaders to safeguard the quality of life for their residents while addressing the needs of a rapidly evolving accommodation market in Tokyo. The comprehensive approach includes calls for legal adjustments to ensure that the regulations keep pace with the changing landscape of the housing accommodation business.