Business Jan 1, 2019
The Japan Times newsroom selected the following business news stories as the most important of 2018.
NEWSWORTHY
National / Politics Nov 26, 2018
Citing G20 security issues, Osaka shuts down over 80% of private lodging operations
by Eric Johnston
Between June and September, over 80 percent of Osaka minpaku private lodgings have been ordered closed by the city, Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura said earlier this month. "A task force consisting of 68 people, including retired police officers, investigated over 2,000 minpaku operations, and over ...
National Nov 20, 2018
Licensed private lodgings top 10,000 in Japan, concentrated in cities
The number of licensed private lodgings for tourists in Japan topped 10,000 in early November, but the facilities were concentrated in urban areas, the Japan Tourism Agency said Tuesday. Since a new law legalizing "minpaku" lodgings took effect in June, private home rentals in Japan ...
National Sep 14, 2018
First case of unlicensed private lodging in Japan sent to prosecutors
Four people are suspected of providing accommodation to tourists in Kyoto without obtaining a permit from the local government.
Business | Regional Voices: Okinawa Jul 13, 2018
Large percentage of private lodgings in Okinawa vanish after new minpaku law takes effect
With its abundant, pristine beaches and renowned cultural and historic sites, it's little surprise that Okinawa Prefecture became a hot market for minpaku (private lodging) services. But after a new law for such lodgings took effect on June 15, most of the more than 3,000 ...
Business Jun 28, 2018
With thousands of Airbnb reservations scrapped and Uber reduced to delivering food, life is hard in Japan for the giants of the sharing economy: They're stuck between tough regulation and popular suspicion. Japan may be the world's third-largest economy and a high-tech hub but it ...
Our Lives | JAPAN LITE Jun 27, 2018
Minpaku law could leave tourists to Japan without beds
by Amy Chavez
Onerous licensing process for private lodging won't stop bad operators, but it will put off honest would-be entrepreneurs.
National Jun 25, 2018
Kyoto ramps up crackdown on illegal P2P lodging after sluggish start to minpaku law
by Eric Johnston
Police and city officials on Monday agreed to increase closures of illegal private lodging facilities just 10 days after a new national law restricting their operation took effect.
Business Jun 21, 2018
Airbnb Inc. said Thursday that it is still removing "thousands" of listings from its website for unlicensed private lodgings in Japan, as required under a new law that took effect last week to cope with a sharp increase in foreign visitors and a consequent ...
Editorials Jun 20, 2018
The government should ensure that regulations don't hamper the growth of the minpaku industry, which is contributing ot the sharp increase in inbound tourism.
Business / Corporate Jun 14, 2018
Airbnb offers new services day before minpaku law kicks in
by Kazuaki Nagata
A day before a new law on minpaku (private lodging services) takes effect, Airbnb Inc. on Thursday welcomed the change and reinforced its commitment to the Japanese market with fresh initiatives. Friday "marks the first official day of the home sharing economy and we are ...
National Jun 7, 2018
Airbnb users face summer crunch as Japan seeks delisting of unlicensed lodgings
by Cory Baird
Last Friday, the Japan Tourism Agency announced that private lodging service websites would have to remove properties without licensing as soon as possible.