Japan gives the green light for home sharing and short-term rentals

We’re thrilled to share news that the National Diet of Japan today enacted legislation that gives the green light for home sharing and short-term rentals in Japan, our most popular market in Asia Pacific.

This is great news for the thousands of Japanese residents already hosting on Airbnb and provides much-needed clarity and certainty for locals who want to earn additional income by sharing their extra space with travellers from around the world.

We warmly welcome the legislation, which is clear, simple and easy to understand, while reflecting Japan’s local needs.

Home sharing and short-term rentals bring great benefits to Japan. In 2016 alone, our host community boosted the Japanese economy by 920 billion yen ($8.3 billion). It also helps to grow and diversify tourism, while utilising unoccupied homes.

It’s also great news for guests. We continue to grow in Japan because travellers increasingly want new, adventurous and local experiences when they visit.

Five million international and domestic travellers used Airbnb in Japan in the past 12 months. Guests visited all 47 prefectures, helping to revitalise rural economies by distributing tourism spend outside of typical tourist districts.

We’re excited by the growing list of destinations that are embracing home sharing and short term rentals. We will continue to work the government to promote this responsible and sustainable framework that will allow the short-term rental industry to flourish across Japan, to the country’s immediate and long-term benefit.

Fast facts on Airbnb in Japan

  • Japan is one of Airbnb’s ten largest markets in the world
  • Japan is our most popular destination in Asia Pacific
  • 5 million guests arrivals both international and domestic in the past year (doubled year-on-year)
  • 52,000 Airbnb listings in Japan
  • The Airbnb community generated US$8.3bn of economic impact in Japan in 2016