Alcohol ban imposed at Tokyo’s Halloween hot spot Shibuya
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Tens of thousands of people have thronged the narrow streets around Shibuya in past years, many dressed up in Instagram-ready zombie costumes.
PHOTO: AFP
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TOKYO - A ban on alcohol came into force around Tokyo tourist hot spot Shibuya on Friday in an attempt to discourage raucous Halloween gatherings, a year after a deadly tragedy in South Korea
Nearly 160 people were crushed to death in a narrow alleyway in Seoul
In Tokyo, tens of thousands of people, both Japanese and foreigners, have thronged the narrow streets around Shibuya in past years, many dressed up in Instagram-ready zombie costumes.
The crowds have slowed down emergency services attempting to reach people in need.
“We’re extremely concerned accidents similar to the fatal case in Itaewon in Seoul last October could happen any time,” said the district’s mayor Ken Hasebe earlier in October.
Ahead of the weekend, a video released by the authorities in Japanese and English focused also on annoyances caused to locals such as vandalism, litter and noise.
“This Halloween night, everyone should stay away from Shibuya. Some people live in Shibuya,” the video message says.
“Violence. Drinking on the street. Smoking on the street. Traffic violation. You can’t choose how your actions will affect others.”
Billboards have been put up. The famous statue of Hachiko the faithful dog – a popular meeting place outside Shibuya Station – was also set to be covered up with a temporary enclosure. AFP
