Local News

Fukuoka City’s Yatai Ordinance goes into effect on Sept. 1. The new law sets forth rules for the size of food stalls, among other things, and allows the City to revoke the permits of non-compliant operators. Starting on Sept. 1, a team of 40 City Hall employees will begin inspecting stalls. Operators found in violation of statutes, such as placing tables outside of their stalls, will receive multiple oral warnings before City Hall sends a written warning. Operators who receive two written warnings within six months will have their road use permits suspended. The new ordinance also limits the number of times an existing food stall can be transferred to one, and ownership can only be passed on an operator’s spouse or child. New applications will be accepted only after an existing stall ceases operation. City Hall aims to normalize operations with the new law, but reactions from operators are mixed. “Times have changed for yatai,” said one operator, while another remarked, “It’s not easy to change old habits.” The number of food stalls in Fukuoka peaked at 430 in 1966, but it currently stands at 147. A City official noted, “It’s a tough ordinance, but we hope it results in there only being high quality yatai in the city.” Nishinippon Shimbun, Aug. 30

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