Descriptions:
On September 18, the Miyagi Prefectural Assembly held its regular September meeting, where the prefecture submitted a draft ordinance to implement an occupancy tax. At the September regular meeting of the prefectural assembly, which opened on the 18th, 15 bills were submitted, including a bill on the general account supplementary budget that will increase the amount by more than 5.4 billion yen, and an ordinance on occupancy taxes. The occupancy tax is a flat rate of 300 yen per person for accommodations costing 6,000 yen or more per night as a source of funds for tourism promotion measures. On the 18th, Governor Murai explained the reason for his proposal. Miyagi Prefectural Governor Yoshihiro Murai: “Although the number of Japanese tourists is expected to decrease due to a shrinking and aging population, our prefecture is actively and strategically seizing the opportunity to meet incoming demand, which is high throughout the country. We need to move forward. Move forward.” The prefectural assembly’s regular September meeting will run until Oct. 17. In the meantime, the prefectural assembly has set up a study committee to consider an ordinance to crack down on drunk driving. With new fines set to be imposed for drunken cycling from November, the study committee plans to add a new requirement for bicycle riders, including a pledge to ban alcohol from restaurants.