Japan Agency Probes Airbnb over Alleged Illegal Listings

June 21, 2018

Tokyo- Since a new law regulating "minpaku" private lodging business came into effect on Friday, properties with fictitious registration numbers have been listed on the website of Airbnb, a global online home rental service operator, it was learned Thursday.

On suspicion of illegal listings, the Japan Tourism Agency is conducting an investigation to find out how Airbnb has been confirming the registration numbers, officials said.

Under the new minpaku law, people wishing to offer their homes for use by tourists need to notify local governments of the availability of minpaku accommodation and obtain registration numbers.

Minpaku agencies are supposed to put properties on their website upon receiving registration numbers from homeowners. In reality, however, the process to confirm the validity of those numbers varies among agencies, an informed source said. Jiji Press