United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Rakuten considers short-term apartment rental service
Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten is actively considering setting up an Airbnb-style apartment rental service.
According to unnamed sources in the company, it has commissioned a detailed study to look at feasibility and demand for a short-term rental service in Japan that would be easier to use than Airbnb.
There is a relatively high number of vacant homes in Japan with government data showing 13% of residential properties were left empty last year.
As Airbnb has found in many cities, short-term renting out of residential property is fraught with legal complications, but the government hopes to relax regulations soon.
Japan hopes to give the economy a boost through increased tourism and has set a target to attract 20 million visitors a year by 2020, when it will host the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Rakuten has a market value of over $16 billion and operates a number of shopping and travel related websites.
It is also in talks with AirAsia to start a joint venture low cost airline in Japan.
Related News Stories:
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled