Photo/Illutration The Shiga prefectural government’s building (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

OTSU—A Japanese “ryokan” inn in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, lifted its ban on Russian and Belarusian guests after coming under fire for the anti-war but potentially illegal policy.

Shiga prefectural authorities issued administrative instructions to the inn for stating on its website that it was refusing service to Russian and Belarusian customers.

The statement was removed on April 11, and a new one appeared on the site.

“As a business, we have become acutely aware of our lack of recognition,” the new message said.

According to the prefectural government, the inn posted the original message on Feb. 26, two days after Russian troops entered Ukraine.

“We voice our objection to the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” the post said. “We will completely refuse to accept Russians and Belarusians as guests from here on out.”

It added, “We don’t need wars.”

Prefectural government officials pointed out to the inn that its ban could violate the Hotel Business Law.

The law allows lodging businesses to refuse service to guests if they appear likely to commit illegal acts.

“Protesting a war is not a justification for refusing a guest,” a prefectural official said.

The inn said it has not actually turned away any guest since the ban started, according to officials.

In its new statement posted online, the inn said a senior employee “used to work in an area where the civil war in Yugoslavia occurred and knows firsthand about the horrors of war.”

The inn said it banned Russians and Belarusians because it felt strong emotions and wanted to do something about the current war.

It said it is now “wondering if there is an alternative way to respond.”

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