{"id":1198,"date":"2025-06-13T06:41:56","date_gmt":"2025-06-12T21:41:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/?p=1198"},"modified":"2025-06-13T06:43:33","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T21:43:33","slug":"what-is-illegal-minpaku-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/?p=1198","title":{"rendered":"What Is \u201cIllegal Minpaku\u201d in Japan?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The article (Sankei Shimbun, June 10, 2025<\/a>) is summarized below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At a committee meeting on the 9th, Liberal Democratic Party member Satsuki Katayama, chairman of the House of Councillors Budget Committee, raised the issue of private lodgings run by foreigners, citing cases of Chinese owners drastically raising rents and causing residents to move out, and called for a review of legal restrictions on foreigners purchasing residential real estate.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Tokyo’s Itabashi Ward, an apartment purchased by a Chinese person has had its rent raised to two to three times the market rate, causing about 30% of the residents to move out. It has also been reported that an elderly woman was forced out by stopping the elevator. The ward mayor is calling for the national government to take action.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Katayama said, “Japan’s weak people are frightened by these unreasonable, strong-arm measures,” and called for a fundamental review of immigration and real estate systems. Prime Minister Ishiba also expressed his intention to implement thorough measures, saying, “The safety and security of the people must not be compromised.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Minpaku<\/strong> refers to private lodging services, such as renting out one\u2019s home or apartment to travelers, similar to Airbnb. While legal minpaku is allowed under Japanese law with certain conditions, there has been a significant increase in illegal minpaku<\/strong>\u2014that is, accommodations operated without proper registration, permits, or in violation of existing laws. These operations are considered a serious problem in Japan, especially in urban areas like Tokyo and Osaka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Legal Framework for Minpaku in Japan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are three main legal routes to operate legal lodging in Japan:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Hotel Business Act (\u65c5\u9928\u696d\u6cd5 \/ Ryokan Gyoho)<\/strong>
    Requires a license from the local health authority to operate accommodations for tourists.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Private Lodging Business Act (\u4f4f\u5b85\u5bbf\u6cca\u4e8b\u696d\u6cd5 \/ Jutaku Shukuhaku Jigyoho, “Minpaku Law”)<\/strong>
    Enacted in 2018, allows private homes to be rented to guests for up to\u00a0180 days per year<\/strong>\u00a0if registered with the government.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Special Deregulated Zones<\/strong>
    Some municipalities have special rules allowing for relaxed regulations.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    To operate legally, the host must meet safety requirements (like fire prevention equipment), notify neighbors, and display the registration number publicly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    2. What Makes Minpaku \u201cIllegal\u201d?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Illegal minpaku refers to lodging that violates any of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    a) No Registration or License<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The most common violation. Hosts operate without applying for permission under either the Hotel Business Act or the Minpaku Law. This is a criminal offense<\/strong> punishable by fines or imprisonment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    b) Overstaying the 180-Day Limit<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Even if registered under the Minpaku Law, operating beyond 180 days per year makes it illegal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    c) Violation of Fire and Building Safety Laws<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Many private homes or apartments are not structurally designed for guests and may lack emergency exits, smoke detectors, or fire extinguishers\u2014violating the Building Standards Act<\/strong> and Fire Service Act<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    d) Breaking Condo Rules<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    In Japan, many apartment buildings have management rules that prohibit short-term rentals. Hosting minpaku in such properties violates these internal agreements and can lead to lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    e) Immigration Law Violations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Some foreign nationals use minpaku as a pretext<\/strong> to obtain a visa\u2014such as the \u201cBusiness Manager\u201d visa\u2014without real business intent. In these cases, it’s considered a violation of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    3. Social Impacts and Real-World Examples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Illegal minpaku creates numerous social problems:<\/p>\n\n\n\n