(Tokyo) “Don’t come to Shibuya for Halloween”: despite this warning and measures to limit the sale of alcohol, the town hall of the trendy district of Tokyo fears an influx of revelers this weekend and potentially serious excesses .
The district, known throughout the world for its immense pedestrian crossing “ Shibuya scramble “, has for many years been a favorite destination for costumed crowds eager to celebrate during Halloween.
But a year after the South Korean drama in Itaewon, the district of Seoul where 159 people were killed during a giant stampede on October 29, 2022 while they were celebrating Halloween, the mayor of Shibuya does not want to take any risk.
At the start of Friday evening, the crowds were noticeably larger in front of Shibuya station than on a typical weekend, hastening to move away into the illuminated streets of the neighborhood or lingering in groups between huge signs reminding that the place did not host any celebrations and that it was forbidden to consume alcohol in the street.
“We are extremely concerned that fatal accidents similar to the one in Itaewon could occur in Shibuya,” ward mayor Ken Hasebe said at a press conference earlier this month. .
With the lifting of anti-COVID-19 restrictions and the massive return of foreign tourists after the total reopening of Japanese borders at the end of 2022, the consumption of alcohol in the streets “has caused incidents with residents and potentially serious accidents”, he added, referring to incidents of theft, violence and sexual assault.
On the last pre-COVID-19 Halloween night in 2019, authorities estimate that 40,000 revelers flocked to Shibuya and believe up to 60,000 people could come this year if measures are not taken to protect them. to discourage.
“I think these restrictions are completely appropriate,” thought Kosuke Kimura, 21, interviewed by AFP near the famous intersection. “Halloween is a holiday where people dress up and get together, that’s normal, but because of that there were a lot of drunk people in the street, throwing trash… It wasn’t a good thing.” .
The district, which plans to deploy 300 security agents during the weekend, recognizes, however, that it does not have the legal authority to restrict access to public roads or fine those who consume alcohol.
Laura Williamee, a 35-year-old American tourist with red and purple hair, said she was “disappointed”: “I was really happy to come and spend Halloween in Shibuya… (but) I understand the authorities’ decision, because it could become dangerous.