Tokyo's Toshima and Shinjuku wards have ordered several short-term rental operators to suspend business operations following regulatory violations [1], [2].
These enforcement actions highlight a growing crackdown on "minpaku" operators who bypass residential zoning laws to run commercial services. By converting registered short-term rentals into other businesses, operators avoid the stricter taxes and safety regulations required for commercial establishments.
On June 18, 2026, Toshima Ward announced it had issued suspension orders to 15 operators [1]. In Shinjuku Ward, authorities targeted 12 operators managing 22 facilities, ordering a 30-day suspension of their activities [2].
Investigations by ward offices and health centers revealed that some operators failed to file the necessary minpaku notifications. In other cases, operators repurposed registered rental addresses to operate different types of businesses, such as aesthetic salons [1], [2].
During a patrol by the Shinjuku Ward Health Center's Hygiene Division, officials inspected multiple units to verify compliance. Masahiro Terada, a section chief at the health center, coordinated the search of specific units and said, "Shall we go from the top? 301? 302?" [3].
Staff at one of the aesthetic salons confirmed that the property had been registered as a minpaku [3]. When questioned about the current status of the business, a staff member said, "I think they are still doing it" [3].
The crackdown targets the misuse of the private lodging business law, which is intended for tourism and residential sharing rather than as a loophole for unlicensed commercial enterprises [1], [2].
“Toshima Ward announced it had issued suspension orders to 15 operators”
This coordinated action by Toshima and Shinjuku wards indicates a shift toward stricter oversight of the sharing economy in Tokyo. By targeting the conversion of residential rentals into commercial salons, the city is attempting to close a loophole that allows businesses to operate without proper health and safety certifications, potentially impacting how short-term rental platforms monitor the actual use of their listed properties.
