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![\"\u05d0\u05ea\u05e8](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Sy4bA7jf11l_0_0_1000_562_0_x-large.jpg\" "\\"Ski")
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Ski resort in Nagano Prefecture <\/p>\n
(Photo: RATM \/ shutterstock)<\/p>\n
In an official response sent to the Israeli Embassy following a thorough inquiry, the Nagano Prefectural Office confirmed that refusal of service based on nationality violates Japanese law and constitutes unacceptable discrimination.<\/p>\n
According to the prefecture\u2019s statement, a review of the lodges\u2019 guest records found no evidence of past refusals to host Israelis, and that many Israelis had stayed at the properties in the past. Still, local business owners were given explicit instructions to prevent similar incidents from recurring, and were made aware that denying service based on nationality is a legal offense.<\/p>\n
In addition, the company\u2019s management issued a written commitment to maintain a respectful and welcoming environment for all guests, without discrimination.<\/p>\n
The Israeli Embassy in Japan noted that the manager involved in the incident is not a Japanese citizen, but emphasized that anyone operating a business in Japan, especially in the tourism sector, is obligated to follow local law and the country’s values of equality and hospitality.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thank Nagano Prefecture for its in-depth investigation and zero tolerance toward the exclusion of Israeli tourists,\u201d Ambassador Cohen said. \u201cThis was an exceptional and rare case in Japan, a country known for its high standards of hospitality and its warm welcome to tourists from around the world, including Israelis.”<\/p>\n
The incident, which occurred in October, involved an Israeli travel planner who customizes trips to Japan for Israeli clients reached out to Hakuba Lodge Co-op, which operates 17 lodges and ski resorts in Nagano and other regions, to inquire about accommodation options for the upcoming winter.<\/p>\n
She received a blunt reply from the manager, named Justin, who wrote: \u201cWe have made a business decision not to accept any booking from Israeli citizens going forward. We are not comfortable with what your country has imposed on the people of Palestine, and we do not feel right that you could consider holidaying when people next door don’t have anywhere to sleep and are starving. Maybe you could consider originating groups to go and help rebuild Palestine instead of going on an exotic holiday.”<\/p>\n
![\"\u05d4\u05d5\u05d3\u05e2\u05ea](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/HyRgnXifWg_0_0_590_1280_0_x-large.jpg\" "\\"The")
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