Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward To Ban Vacation Rentals In Residential Areas

TOKYO, Sept 7 (NNN-Kyodo) -- Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward plans to impose a general ban on short-term rentals, such as Airbnb properties, in residential areas and near schools, local officials said on Monday, Kyodo News reported.

The central Tokyo ward has the highest concentration of short-term rentals in the country.

The policy will also apply to existing properties, the officials said.

There were 3,775 registered short-term rental properties in the ward as of July 15, according to the Japan Tourism Agency.

The ward estimates that approximately 2,000 of them may have to cease operations under the plan.

The agency and other relevant bodies notified local governments in July that they could effectively ban short-term rentals in designated areas through local ordinances if the properties were found to be harming the residential environment, following a series of incidents.

The ward plans to solicit public comments in October and submit an amendment to its short-term rental ordinance during the first regular session of the ward assembly in February next year.

According to the officials, the ban will apply to areas zoned exclusively for residential use or designated as cultural and educational districts.

Exceptions will be made for short-term rentals that meet certain requirements, such as properties whose owners live on-site and manage them appropriately.

Existing facilities will be granted a grace period allowing them to continue operating after the new rules take effect.

Additionally, the maximum number of operating days will be reduced from 180 to 120 per year, including in commercial districts, the officials said.

--NNN-KYODO

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