The mayor of Osaka City in western Japan has announced a plan to suspend acceptance of applications to operate private lodgings in National Strategic Special Zones. This comes amid increasing complaints from local residents.
The private lodging system started in the city in 2016.
Unlike ordinary private lodging, the system has no limit on the number of business days per year.
The number of facilities in the system has risen significantly in the city amid increased demand from foreign tourists. As of the end of August, 6,853 facilities had been certified, accounting for about 90 percent of Japan’s total.
But many local residents have complained about noise, improper disposal of waste and other problems. Some say they cannot contact lodging operators.
The city held a meeting on the matter on Tuesday.
Mayor Yokoyama Hideyuki stressed the need to focus on resolving the problems and reviewing the system when he announced the plan to suspend applications.
The city is to decide when the suspension will begin before a meeting of the central government on the special zones in November.
The city says it will step up checks on existing operators by carrying out a survey to confirm how they manage their services.
The mayor said after the meeting that the city has yet to strengthen its monitoring and guidance for the private lodgings or make necessary revisions to the system. He added that the city will take measures soon.
AloJapan.com