Japan Meets the Sharing Economy: Contending Frames

Abstract

The ‘sharing economy’ epitomized by Airbnb and Uber has challenged business, labor, and regulatory institutions throughout the world. The arrival of Airbnb and Uber in Japan provided an opportunity for Prime Minister Abe’s administration to demonstrate its commitment to deregulation. Both platform companies garnered support from powerful governmental and industry actors who framed the sharing economy as a solution to various economic and social problems. However, they met resistance from actors elsewhere in government, the private sector, and civil society, who constructed competing frames. Unlike studies that compare national responses to the sharing economy, we contrast the different experiences and fates of Airbnb and Uber within a single country. Doing so highlights actors, framing processes, and within-country heterogeneity. The study reveals the limits of overly institutionalized understandings of Japanese political economy. It also contributes to current debates concerning Prime Minister Abe’s efforts at implementing deregulation during the 2010s.

Platforms, Politics, and Policy Change: Framing A Governance Approach to TNCs in the Gig Economy

“…On the other hand, another group of scholars has also explored how media discourse about the sharing economy among politicians and public officials can create "capture frames" that legitimize the interests of firms within the regulatory landscape (Adler, 2021). Works such as Altura et al (2021) even argue that policy outcomes are influenced as much by framing processes on media as by institutional arrangements.…”

Transnational displacement by short‐term rentals in Japan’s depopulating society: Dilemma between rent gap emergence and inbound tourist accommodations

“…Altura 27 suggests that "Airbnb garnered support from powerful governmental and industry actors (in Japan) who framed the sharing economy as a solution to various economic and social problems". 27 At the same time, it intends to solve the dilemma between sustainable economy and social stability. Japanese restriction by caps and area and rules for management comes from their purpose to preserve neighborhood living environment and mitigate negative externalities.…”

“…The purpose of legislation is a measure to promote tourist rental service and give legal status for STRs which nuisance to neighborhood. Altura 27 suggests that "Airbnb garnered support from powerful governmental and industry actors (in Japan) who framed the sharing economy as a solution to various economic and social problems". 27 At the same time, it intends to solve the dilemma between sustainable economy and social stability.…”