世論 What Japan Thinks

japan.internet.com recently reported on a survey by goo Research into traveller-oriented empty room matching services, and little recognition was registered; it is not clear from the question wording, however, whether they dropped the best-known brand name along with the rather wordy survey title.

Demographics

Between the 22nd and 26th of November 2013 1,082 members of the goo Research online monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 53.9% of the sample were male, 14.0% in their teens, 15.2% in their twenties, 21.8% in their thirties, 17.5% in their forties, 14.7% in their fifties, and 16.8% aged sixty or older.

This year I am on our block of flats’ management committee, and I keep meaning to bring up at the meetings a proposal to change the residents’ contract to outlaw the renting of rooms through Airbnb and similar schemes. Currently, commercial activity that involves visitors is forbidden, and a neighbour in fact fell foul of the regulations as she was running a craft school in her living room, so she was asked to hold her classes elsewhere. I sort-of agree with the Airbnb concept, but NIMBY! I also think it encourages the black economy, so I cannot approve of illegal sub-letting, regulation-dodging and no doubt tax-avoidance. And having foreigners in our building would no doubt bring down the property values.

Research results

Q1: Do you know about traveller-oriented empty room matching services? (Sample size=1,082)

Know it well (to SQ1)	2.3%
Just heard the name	7.7%
Don’t know it at all	90.0%

Q1SQ1: Have you registered with any traveller-oriented empty room matching services? (Sample size=25)

Currently registered (to SQ2)	28%
Used to be registered (to SQ2)	16%
Not registered	56%

Q1SQ2: Which traveller-oriented empty room matching services have you registered with? (Sample size=11, multiple answer)

Airbnb	91%
Couchsurfing	27%

Nine out of ten Airbnb registrants had actually staying in a room through the service, as had all 3 of the Couchsurfers.