TOKYO - Tokyo's Koto Ward will conduct on-site inspections of all roughly 400 lodging facilities from January 2027 as it moves to strengthen regulations following a sharp increase in complaints over issues including garbage disposal and nighttime noise.
Koto Ward Mayor Tomoka Okubo announced the plan at a regular news conference on September 8, saying complaints and problems associated with the growing number of accommodation facilities had increased substantially.
"As the number of lodging facilities increases, we are hearing quite a lot of complaints from residents," Okubo said. "We believe regulations need to be strengthened, so we have prepared a supplementary budget to tighten the rules."
The inspections will cover all approximately 400 accommodation facilities operating with permits under the Hotel Business Act, including houses and individual rooms in apartment buildings.
Koto Ward received more than 100 complaints concerning lodging facilities in fiscal 2025, including complaints over how garbage was disposed of and noise late at night. The figure was roughly double the number recorded in fiscal 2024.
The ward plans to inspect management systems and other operating arrangements between January and March 2027.
Officials said the inspections are intended to assess the effectiveness of revisions to the ward's ordinance governing hotel and lodging businesses that took effect in July.
The ward also announced measures aimed at easing the financial burden on families raising children.
Koto Ward plans to provide an independently funded payment of 10,000 yen for each child aged 18 or younger living in the ward.
About 82,000 children are expected to qualify, with cash payments scheduled to begin in December.
Source: TOKYO MX NEWS
