Korean man refused hotel stay for failure to speak Japanese

A video of a Japanese hotel refusing service to a Korean man for not speaking Japanese has caused controversy online.

A hotel employee refuses to let the YouTuber stay [SCREEN CAPTURE]

A video of a Japanese hotel refusing service to a Korean man for not speaking Japanese has caused controversy online.

YouTube channel Kkujun uploaded a video on Feb. 8 of him traveling from Fukuoka to Sapporo on his electric scooter, which included his encounter with a hotel that rejected him.

The YouTuber went to the hotel situated in Ube, where he made a reservation and even got a confirmation email from the hotel.

Upon reaching the reception desk, the employees immediately inquired if he spoke Japanese.

After the YouTuber responded that he couldn't speak Japanese, the employees repeatedly asked him if he understood Japanese. They added he was unable to stay because it is difficult to address the customer’s problem without knowing Japanese.

The YouTuber said to the employee that he would “use his translator when any issue occurs” as he didn’t have any backup plan and it was getting late.

Later, an employee, assumed to be the manager, told the YouTuber that it would be difficult for them to let him stay, citing that the YouTuber had no prior experience with Japanese saunas and lacked knowledge of Japanese customs.

The hotel's apology statement uploaded on its site on Monday [SCREEN CAPTURE]

The YouTuber left the hotel after being rejected, sighing “It’s not right to tell me to leave now [after coming to the hotel].”

After the video was uploaded, controversy was raised among netizens regarding the hotel's response.

The hotel apologized for its actions in a statement posted on its website on Monday, titled “Regarding inappropriate responses to guests making accommodation reservations.”

“Regarding our company refusing accommodation at a capsule hotel, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to our customers,” the hotel said. “It is true that we have refused accommodation due to this matter.”

“Based on the Inns and Hotels Act, we provide accommodations where you should stay without any refusal,” it added. “This is due to a lack of training for employees, resulting in incorrect responses.”

“We will do our best to prevent it from happening again.”

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]