Is it illegal to refuse tenancy based on race?

What the Law Says

Japan’s primary legal prohibition against racial discrimination in housing is established by the Act on Promotion of Efforts to Eliminate Unfair Discriminatory Treatment Based on Race or Ethnic Origin. This law applies broadly—including to rental housing—and obligates both public and private actors to refrain from unfair discriminatory treatment.

The law defines 'unfair discriminatory treatment' as acts that unjustifiably disadvantage individuals based on their race, ethnicity, nationality, or related background—such as refusing to rent a property solely because of a person’s racial or ethnic origin.

While the Act does not create criminal penalties, it authorizes the Minister of Justice to investigate complaints, issue recommendations, and publicly disclose findings if discriminatory conduct is confirmed.

Landlords—including individuals and corporations—are explicitly covered under the Act’s scope, as it applies to 'any person' engaging in discriminatory treatment in daily life, including housing transactions.

Statutory Text

Unfair discriminatory treatment based on race or ethnic origin means discriminatory treatment that unjustifiably disadvantages a person on grounds of his/her race, ethnic origin, nationality, or other similar background.

— Act on Promotion of Efforts to Eliminate Unfair Discriminatory Treatment Based on Race or Ethnic Origin, s. 2 — Definition

Statutory Text

The State and local governments shall take necessary measures to promote efforts to eliminate unfair discriminatory treatment based on race or ethnic origin... and private persons shall endeavor to cooperate with such efforts.

— Act on Promotion of Efforts to Eliminate Unfair Discriminatory Treatment Based on Race or Ethnic Origin, s. 3 — Duties

What to Do

Sources