TOKYO, Aug 14 (News On Japan) –
During the Obon vacation, Shinjuku’s Kabukicho To-Yoko space has drawn giant numbers of younger folks, prompting Tokyo authorities to situation warnings.
On August twelfth at round 11 p.m., the streets main into the To-Yoko space had been crowded, with teams sitting on sidewalks and even spilling into the roadway. Some jumped over obstacles put in to stop loitering within the plaza, becoming a member of others inside. These so-called “To-Yoko kids” included a girl who stated she was 20 and visited virtually every day, counting on the world for meals and shelter and by no means returning dwelling. Inside the obstacles, a girl climbed onto a lion statue and was cautioned by safety, whereas a person spoke shirtless close by.
Police entered the enclosed space to warn the youth, whereas many onlookers stood exterior the obstacles simply to see the scene. Visitors got here from so far as Gunma, Ibaraki, and even Kyoto, with one highschool pupil explaining that that they had seen To-Yoko on TV and wished to expertise it firsthand. Some described it as unsafe however vibrant, whereas others admitted they got here out of curiosity and stayed for weeks, regularly forming friendships.
Authorities warn that the world has seen repeated incidents involving sexual exploitation and drug overdoses. In response, Tokyo has produced consciousness movies concentrating on youth concerning the dangers and crimes linked to To-Yoko. A 17-year-old highschool pupil spending the evening there after lacking the final practice known as it “smelly, dirty, and dangerous,” citing the presence of drug sellers.
To present assist, Tokyo operates a Kabukicho session middle known as “Kimi Mamo,” which may obtain over 50 younger guests a day throughout summer season. Officials say they take particular care in the course of the vacation interval to deal with circumstances earlier than they escalate. Although the ability confronted issues equivalent to arrests for indecent acts after its opening in 2024, revised guidelines have since been carried out. In May 2024, the session area was expanded considerably, strengthening assist measures and persevering with to warn younger guests in the course of the summer season break.
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Source: FNN