The Kumamoto Prefectural Government will suspend the business operations of a hotel that in November refused to accommodate former Hansen's disease patients, sources said Sunday.
The prefecture will notify Aistar Co., the operator of Ai-Ladies Kyuden Kurokawa Onsen Hotel, in Minamioguni, this week of its decision to suspend operations for around three days, the sources said.
November, the hotel rejected requests from the prefectural government for reservations for 22 people when it was informed the guests were former Hansen's patients.
The national government segregated people with Hansen's disease in isolated sanitariums for decades, even after it was learned the malady is difficult to transmit. It was only in 1996 that the policy was revised.
Kumamoto officials had explained to the hotel there was no risk of infection, but it continued to refuse to accommodate the group. The hotel finally issued a full apology Dec. 20.
Even so, the hotel continued to defend its general manager's decision, saying it was a "natural decision for a hotel business."
The hotel changed its stance in January and said it would accept such people unconditionally.
In imposing the suspension, the Kumamoto Prefectural Government has judged that the hotel violated Article 5 of the Hotel Business Law, the sources said.
The article prohibits hotel operators from denying accommodations on unjustifiable grounds, excluding situations in which potential customers have infectious diseases, they said.