Japan's new law on the "minpaku" private lodging business took effect Friday but stringent rules may dampen the entry of homeowners despite hopes that it could help counter a shortage of accommodations amid a growing number of foreign tourists.The new law enables private homes to be offered as accommodation for tourists only if the owners submit the necessary paperwork to prefectural governments or designated major cities.Previously, offering accommodation in private homes was allowed in Japan only under the Hotel Business Law, except for private lodging services in specially deregulated zo…READ FULL ARTICLE
