TOKYO, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) — Foreign guests and partygoers are requested to not go to Japan’s bustling Shibuya in Tokyo for Halloween celebrations anticipated on the finish of the month over fears of crowd crush, an area authorities official has stated.
Ken Hasebe, mayor of Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward, referred to as on those that are enthusiastic about visiting Shibuya for Halloween on Oct. 31 and through the a number of days main as much as it to “reconsider” their plans at a press convention on Thursday.
A video titled “On Halloween Night Everyone Should Stay Away from Shibuya” was displayed, condemning acts which are strictly prohibited within the space, together with violence, road ingesting, and site visitors violations, which unavoidably happen among the many Halloween-celebrating crowds.
“This year, we are making it clear to the world that Shibuya is not a venue for Halloween events… Please, do not come to the Shibuya station area for Halloween,” stated Hasebe.
Noting that many individuals from out and in of Japan come to the world yearly for enjoyable celebrations, Hasebe confused {that a} crowd crush just like the one which killed about 160 folks celebrating Halloween final yr in Seoul’s Itaewon district may occur in Shibuya.
“A fatal accident like Itaewon can happen here any time,” he stated, including that the variety of folks coming to Shibuya has elevated dramatically to even above the pre-pandemic stage for the reason that authorized standing of COVID-19 was downgraded.
Between Oct. 27 and Oct. 31 this yr, Shibuya is considerably beefing up the variety of safety guards and officers to remind folks about its metropolis ordinance banning alcohol consumption close to the station, the federal government official launched.
During the interval, site visitors restrictions may also be in place within the night time and early morning hours, he added.
Shibuya’s well-known scramble crossing and its surrounding streets, recognized for drawing throngs of partygoers and children, are the middle of Japan’s Halloween celebrations, which have grown steadily through the years.
It can also be a preferred attraction for vacationers, with hundreds arriving in costume or just to spectate, wandering with smartphones and cameras.