File photo taken on June 16, 2026, shows people carrying suitcases in an area with many vacation rentals in Osaka, Japan. (Kyodo)

TOKYO - TOKYO - Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward plans to ban as a general rule vacation rentals such as Airbnb in residential areas and areas near schools, local officials said Monday.

The ward in central Tokyo hosts the largest concentration of vacation rentals in the country. The policy will also apply to existing properties, the officials said.

Related coverage: