Tokyo's Shibuya District strengthens regulations on Halloween nuisance activities again this year... ‘Goodbye Bad Halloween’

Promotional animation distributed online... This year’s slogan ‘Goodbye Bad Halloween’

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Byeong-gyu = Every year on Halloween Day, held on October 31st in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, where large crowds gather, large and small incidents and accidents continue to occur, and local governments are rushing to prepare countermeasures this year as well.

According to the Tokyo Shimbun on the 2nd, Shibuya Ward Mayor Ken Hasebe held a press conference on the 30th of last month and announced that he would strengthen regulations on nuisance activities around Halloween Day this year.

This year's slogan chosen by Shibuya City to promote citizens is 'Goodbye Bad Halloween.'

Starting the day before Halloween, the district decided to deploy city staff and security guards around Shibuya Station to prevent people wearing Halloween costumes from obstructing the passage of others.

In addition, it has been decided to ban drinking, smoking, selling goods, and soliciting customers on the street, and a temporary wall will be installed around the statue of Hachiko, a loyal dog that attracts crowds, to prevent it from being used as a meeting place.

The downtown area in front of Shibuya Station is a representative downtown area in Tokyo, and the scramble intersection in front of the station is a famous landmark.

It is also a 'Halloween sacred place' where large crowds gather on Halloween, but the risk of accidents is high as congestion and safety issues are repeated every year to the extent that it is difficult to maintain order. This year's Halloween Day falls on a Saturday, so it is expected to attract particularly large crowds.

Shibuya City decided to close electric kickboard rental shops around downtown to prevent safety accidents during Halloween this year.

According to a district ordinance, drinking on the streets is prohibited between 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the Halloween period. In addition, Shibuya Ward plans to request that nearby stores not sell alcohol.

In addition, anticipating that a large number of foreigners would flock on Halloween, an animation was created and distributed online containing messages such as banning drinking on the streets and blocking traffic.

District Mayor Hasebe said, “Nusivities such as drinking on the street, smoking, littering, making noise, and obstructing traffic are not the original way to enjoy Halloween,” and added, “I hope (other) areas and facilities will enjoy the event while respecting manners.”