According to Japanese media, the decision came during talks with the Israeli agency when hotel management said it was “dissatisfied with actions taken against the Palestinian people,” leading to the rejection of the booking.

The incident triggered a strong response from the Israeli Embassy in Japan, which sent a letter to the Nagano prefectural government on October 21, demanding an official investigation into the matter.

After reviewing the case, the Nagano government issued a verbal warning to the hotel’s operating company. Officials said the refusal could be seen as discrimination based on nationality, which is not allowed under Japanese guidelines.

The case has emerged at a time when public debate in Japan over Israel’s war on Gaza has intensified. Many citizens have openly expressed solidarity with Palestinians.

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Earlier this year, a similar controversy erupted when a hotel in Kyoto asked an Israeli tourist to sign a declaration stating that he had not committed war crimes during his military service before being allowed to check in.

In recent months, public demonstrations criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza have been held across Japan. Large rallies in Tokyo have called for an immediate end to the war.

Since October 2023, Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed more than 70,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 171,000 others, according to Palestinian health authorities. Vast areas of Gaza have been destroyed, deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis.

This incident shows how global conflicts are affecting everyday decisions far from the battlefield. Public opinion in Japan is becoming more vocal, and businesses now face pressure to balance ethics, law, and diplomacy.