NAHA, May 30 (News On Japan) –
Okinawa Prefecture introduced throughout a gathering with the tourism business on May twenty seventh that it’s aiming for its annual tourism income to exceed 1 trillion yen for the primary time in fiscal 2025, and plans to introduce a lodging tax throughout fiscal 2026.
The assembly, held behind closed doorways aside from the opening remarks, introduced collectively representatives from six organizations within the journey and lodging sectors.
During the session, the prefecture offered its objectives of reaching 1.006 trillion yen in tourism income and attracting 10.4 million guests, surpassing the earlier document of 10.18 million in fiscal 2018.
Regarding the proposed lodging tax, some attendees voiced assist for designating it as a “purpose tax” devoted to tourism improvement. Others burdened the necessity for shut coordination with municipalities additionally planning to undertake the tax, pushing for its swift implementation. Governor Tamaki reportedly responded that the prefecture would transfer ahead with introducing the tax inside fiscal 2026.
The lodging tax in Japan is a neighborhood levy imposed by municipal or prefectural governments on in a single day stays at accommodations, ryokan, guesthouses, and different lodging services. Originally launched by Tokyo in October 2002, it was the primary of its sort within the nation and stays one of the acknowledged. Tokyo’s system costs 100 yen per particular person per evening for lodging priced between 10,000 and 14,999 yen, and 200 yen for charges of 15,000 yen or extra, whereas stays underneath 10,000 yen are exempt. The tax is collected by the lodging suppliers on the time of check-in or check-out and is added on high of the room cost. Following Tokyo’s lead, a number of different areas applied their very own lodging taxes tailor-made to native tourism calls for. Osaka Prefecture adopted an identical construction in 2017, whereas Kyoto City launched a flat-rate system in October 2018, charging between 200 and 1,000 yen relying on the room fee and sort of lodging, no matter location inside the metropolis.
The function of the lodging tax is to assist the event and upkeep of tourism infrastructure, enhance providers for guests, and handle the impression of rising vacationer numbers. Revenue generated from the tax is used for varied initiatives akin to multilingual signage, preservation of cultural heritage websites, crowd management measures, and common promotion of tourism. In closely visited areas like Kyoto and Osaka, the tax has helped tackle the burden of over-tourism, particularly in historic districts and widespread sightseeing spots.
The introduction of latest lodging taxes continues to be a subject of dialogue throughout Japan, notably in areas experiencing a surge in home and worldwide tourism. Okinawa Prefecture, for instance, has lately proposed the implementation of a lodging tax by fiscal 2026 because it goals to extend tourism income past 1 trillion yen. Local governments typically weigh elements akin to public sentiment, alignment with neighboring municipalities, and potential results on resort bookings earlier than implementing such a tax. Although the quantity imposed is comparatively modest, the lodging tax represents a rising pattern amongst Japanese areas to create sustainable tourism fashions whereas making certain that the advantages of the tourism growth are reinvested into native communities.
Source: Okinawa News OTV