Airbnb Hits Pause on Most Japan Listings Ahead of New Rental Law
Picture this: you’re scrolling through Airbnb, finding what looks like the best spot in Osaka, and bam—no bookings for you because a new law is cracking down on short‑stay rentals. Yes, the country’s government just flipped the switch for this all‑important regulation that takes effect on June 15.
What the New Law Demands
- Owners must hand in a government registration number.
- Stays are capped at 180 days a year.
- Local governments can slap on extra restrictions—think Kyoto only allowing rentals in residential zones from mid‑January to mid‑March.
Airbnb’s Immediate Response
Jake Wilczynski, the Airbnb voice for Asia‑Pacific, told AFP that it was time for hosts who hadn’t yet got their “notification number” to face the music. “We’re turning off future listing capabilities for those who’re still playing catch‑up,” he said. The exact number is up in the water, but local chatter places it at about 80 percent of all Japanese listings.
Backed by the housing industry’s good cheer, Airbnb claims that “many hosts have already gone through the registration.” The company plans to register tens of thousands of new listings in the coming months. So, instead of a chaotic rejection spiral, you might see a parade of legit, well‑checked rooms pop up.
Hosts Feel the Heat
Some defenders of Airbnb’re raising an eyebrow at what they describe as “overly strict” new rules. “The registration process is a headache,” says a Tokyo host named Ben—no full name and only questions about the bureaucratic maze. He’s hoping not to give up, but he’s at least mulling the possibility.
- Rules restrict Kyoto rentals to a min‑picnic period.
- And for any owner, the paperwork feels like getting a taste of an iron‑clad bureaucratic monster.
Officials Back the Law
Soichi Taguchi from a tourism agency explains the new regulations aim at “nurturing healthy growth.” He cites a labor ministry survey that says about 80 percent of short‑term rentals are illegal, so there’s no excuse to let bad practices linger.
Meanwhile, Japan is working to keep the high tide of tourists flowing for the Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Olympics, so the government wants a clean slate—and Airbnb is one of the key players in that effort.
What That Means for You
Short answer: Airbnb is tightening the reins, but it’s also trying to keep the game fair for legit hosts. If you’re a picnic‑lover looking for a place in Japan, keep your eye on the official registration badge and you’re good to go. The bottom line: the future of short‑stay housing in Japan is being built on palatable, registered, and user‑friendly rules—so yes, there’s hope ahead of the next big sporting event.
