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With neon signs, X-rated freebies and themed rooms rented by the hour, 'love hotels' are a staple of Japanese culture.

The venues, often equipped with mirrored ceilings, offer couples the chance to check in and get intimate in a discrete setting.

But now, they could be used by young families - as officials are pushing for them to be converted into accommodation for the 2020 Olympic Games .

The Japanese government wants to transform the erotic hotels into places for tourists to stay during the Tokyo event, it is reported.

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(Image: Youtube/abroadinjapan)

There are currently more than 10,000 'love hotels' across the country, with the more expensive ones fitted with extravagant, themed rooms.

The venues, many of which are situated in the capital, have an average occupancy rate of about 40 per cent on weekdays, The Japan Times reports.

This means they could be potentially useful in the lead-up to (and during) the Games, when there is likely to be a shortage of regular hotels.

Millions of holidaymakers and sports fans are expected to descend on the country for the event, due to be held from July 24 to August 9, 2020.

(Image: Youtube/abroadinjapan)

Yoshihide Suga, the chief cabinet secretary, is said to have already met 'love hotel' owners to urge them to help to accommodate tourists.

One owner of a chain of 'love hotels' told The Times: "As things are now, love hotels across the country can cater to 28 million guests a year.

“We can support the government’s idea of a nation for tourism.”

At present, 'love hotels' offer customers - from married couples to lovers - the chance to check in and turn on for hours at a time.

For around 6,000 yen (£45), visitors can enjoy a room for two hours.

In some cases, they are also offered a range of intimate freebies, including body massage lotion, condoms and sex toys.

(Image: Reuters)

Earlier this year, Japanese culture fan, Chris Broad, from the UK, shed some light on the short-stay hostelries in a YouTube clip .

Chris, who runs the popular channel Abroad In Japan , moved to the Eastern nation from his home in Maidstone, Kent, in 2012.

He said the popularity of 'love hotels' is not surprising 'given how many families in Japan live in multi-generational households'.

In the clip, Chris headed to a discreet hotel, The Hotelion, in Sendai, the capital of the country's Miyagi Prefecture.

There, he was given a kinky kit featuring Honey Drops body massage lotion, Big Honey condoms and a bright pink sex toy.

He was also handed a cosplay catalogue for lovers to hire costumes, including schoolgirls and maids - the most popular of the 50 selections.

The hotel - which featured a 'Teddy Bear Cave' - cost around £39.70 for two hours, £64.92 for eight hours and £97.31 for 16 hours.