OSAKA –
Osaka City plans to tighten laws on non-public lodging companies, or minpaku, by usually prohibiting new operations in wood and steel-frame condominium buildings the place residents already stay, following repeated complaints over noise and rubbish.
The metropolis is making ready to submit an ordinance revision to the municipal meeting in September because it seeks to strengthen restrictions on lodging companies working beneath the Hotel Business Act.
Osaka had promoted a deregulated system often called special-zone minpaku to accommodate the fast enhance in international vacationers, however complaints from residents about noise, deserted rubbish and different issues continued to rise.
The metropolis stopped accepting new purposes for special-zone minpaku in May 2026.
Since then, nevertheless, the variety of consultations relating to the opening of minpaku companies beneath the Hotel Business Act has elevated sharply, in keeping with the town.
More than 80% of noise complaints submitted over the 2 years via 2025 regarding special-zone minpaku concerned wood or steel-frame buildings.
Under the proposed ordinance revision, new minpaku companies would usually not be permitted in wood or steel-frame condominium buildings and related properties the place residents are already dwelling.
The metropolis would additionally require a workers member to stay stationed inside one kilometer of the lodging facility each time visitors are staying there.
Source: YOMIURI