Key Facts
• Illegal short-term rentals by foreigners raised concerns in Japan’s parliament.
• Satsuki Katayama, LDP’s Upper House Budget Committee Chair, visited Harumi Flag.
• Harumi Flag, a redeveloped Olympic Village, reported 2,000 unoccupied units.
• 1,000 foreign residents identified among 8,000 occupants; 3,000 total suspected cases.
• Illegal rentals bypass tax obligations via platforms like WeChat Pay.
• LDP proposed stricter rules for foreign property ownership and driving license conversion.
• Current business management visa requires only ¥5 million in capital.
• Katayama suggested raising visa capital requirements to match global standards.
• Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pledged to ensure public safety and address the issue.
• As of June 2024, 39,000 foreign residents in Japan, including 20,000 Chinese nationals.
Summary
Illegal short-term rentals by foreigners have sparked concerns in Japan, particularly at Harumi Flag, a redeveloped Olympic Village. Satsuki Katayama of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) highlighted issues such as unoccupied units, tax evasion, and rising property prices. She proposed stricter regulations on foreign property ownership and business management visas, which currently require only ¥5 million in capital. Katayama emphasized the need for higher visa capital thresholds to prevent misuse and ensure public safety. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba committed to addressing these concerns, with a focus on protecting residents and maintaining trust in the government.
