Tokyo: The fair trade body for Japan has warned 15 upscale hotels in Tokyo that sharing information on occupancy levels and costs might be in violation of anti-monopoly laws.
In response to record numbers of foreign tourists visiting Japan in recent months amid labor shortages and persistent inflation, lodge prices have increased significantly across the nation.
The Japan Fair Trade Commission ( JFTC ) stated in a statement on Thursday ( May 8 ) that major hotel operators in the capital, including the Imperial Hotel and the New Otani, have held monthly meetings.
They exchanged data on regular room occupancy rates, ordinary place prices, revenue per room, future bookings, and policies for setting potential room prices, according to the statement.
The commission has also warned Fujita Kanko, Keio Plaza Hotel, Hotel Okura Tokyo, Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide, and other resort companies, according to The Japan Times.  ,
The JFTC warned the 15 corporations against performing similar acts, which” could fall under… ridiculous caution of deal” that are against the law.
According to the JFTC, cartels and bid-rigging are two examples of functions that fall under absurd restriction of industry.
In Japan, between October and December 2024, the average cost per room for 12 non-luxury hotel brands increased 17.8 % year over year to 16 289 ( US$ 110 ).
During the epidemic, that average cost almost doubled from 8 to 171.