TOKYO - Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward, which has more than 3,900 short-term rental facilities, the highest number of any municipality in Japan, plans to generally prohibit new properties in residential areas and around schools as complaints over noise, trespassing and other problems continue to increase.
In fiscal 2025, the ward received 1,334 complaints and inquiries related to short-term rentals, including cases involving entry onto private property and excessive noise. The figure was more than 500 higher than in the previous fiscal year.
In response, the ward has decided to move forward with revisions to its ordinance regulating short-term rental operations.
Under the proposed changes, new short-term rental businesses would be prohibited in residential areas, around schools and in other designated locations.
Exceptions would be allowed when certain conditions are met, such as when the property owner lives at the premises and can properly manage the operation.
Existing facilities would also generally be prohibited from operating if they are unable to meet appropriate management standards.
The ward plans to seek public comments before submitting the proposed ordinance revisions to a regular session of the Shinjuku Ward Assembly in February 2027.
If the ordinance is revised, nearly half of the ward's existing short-term rental facilities, or about 2,000 properties, could potentially be unable to continue operating.
Source: TOKYO MX NEWS
