NHK has learned that the western Japanese prefecture of Hiroshima is considering introducing an accommodation tax to finance measures to address overtourism.

Sources told NHK that officials are making arrangements to impose a charge on people who stay at hotels and inns.

The number of guests using accommodations, including overseas tourists, has been on the rise partly because the prefecture's international profile got a boost after the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima City in May last year.

The number of visitors has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Prefectural officials will decide on details such as the amount of the tax and how revenues will be used.

Nine local governments in Japan, including Tokyo and Osaka prefectures as well as Kyoto City, have introduced an accommodation tax.