Hotels across Japan are witnessing a significant increase in the use of specially trained dogs to detect bedbug infestations, driven by a sharp rise in international travel and related complaints, according to local media reports. This trend highlights the growing challenges faced by the hospitality industry as it adapts to post-pandemic tourism surges.
Rising Complaints and Canine Solutions
Complaints about bedbugs have climbed notably in recent years, spurring heightened demand for canine detection services. These bedbug-sniffing dogs, which can reportedly identify up to 95 per cent of infestations, are now being deployed to inspect hotel rooms and various accommodations throughout Japan. The Asahi Shimbun newspaper has detailed this expanding practice, noting its effectiveness in early pest detection.
Statistical Evidence of the Problem
The Japan Pest Control Association, representing exterminators and firms handling pests such as cockroaches, rats, mosquitoes, and bedbugs, reported 1,176 bedbug-related complaints in 2023. This figure marked an increase of approximately 500 from the previous year. In 2024, the number edged up further to 1,185 complaints, though data for 2025 remains unreleased. These statistics underscore a persistent issue that is capturing the attention of industry professionals.
Tourism Boom as a Key Driver
Industry analysts largely attribute the upward trend in bedbug incidents to the sharp rebound in overseas travel following the Covid-19 pandemic. Japan welcomed a record number of foreign tourists last year, with arrivals surpassing the 40 million threshold for the first time. This jump represents the second consecutive year of record-breaking tourist numbers, following 36.87 million foreign visitors in 2024.
The momentum carried into 2025, as travellers from overseas injected 9.5 trillion yen into the economy, up from 8.1 trillion the previous year. This influx has, however, facilitated the easier spread of bedbugs, which can hitchhike across borders in luggage and clothing, raising the risk of outbreaks in densely used accommodation spaces like hotels, hostels, and dormitories.
Expanding Canine Detection Programmes
To address the growing threat, companies such as Tokyo-based Asante Inc are expanding their canine detection programmes, training more dogs and handlers to meet rising demand. In the past year alone, Asante's dogs have reportedly checked thousands of hotel rooms in Japan. One notable example is Elle, a two-year-old beagle trained from six months old, who works with handler Ataru Shimoyama to inspect rooms in just a few minutes.
Global Context and Comparisons
The bedbug issue is not unique to Japan; it reflects a broader global challenge. In 2023, South Korea struggled with a rising number of bedbug infestations, with complaints pouring in from various regions. Initial reports emerged in September of that year when students at Keimyung University in Daegu, about 240km from Seoul, were bitten by parasitic insects in their dormitory.
Later, media reports indicated that larvae were found under floor mats at a public sauna in Incheon, a city near Seoul. Similarly, major cities like London and Paris faced significant bedbug concerns that year, highlighting the widespread nature of this pest problem in urban and tourist-heavy areas.
As Japan continues to attract record numbers of visitors, the reliance on bedbug-sniffing dogs is likely to grow, representing a proactive approach to maintaining hygiene and guest satisfaction in the hospitality sector. This development underscores the intersection of tourism growth, public health, and innovative pest management strategies in modern Japan.
