Adopting the sharing economy might help to ease the strain on existing hospitality options, but due to licensing requirements, 99% of Airbnb apartment owners in Japan are technically breaking existing laws.
Martin Fluck, director of operations, North Asia, for Oakwood Pacific, does not see Airbnb as a competitor but as complementary, and eyes a new market for serviced-apartment operators in “bleisure” travelers, increasing demand for larger rooms that can accommodate a family when tagging leisure time at the end of a business trip.