Shibuya Mayor aims for trouble-free Halloween

Oct 25, 2019 | News On Japan

Oct 25, 2019 (NHK) - The mayor of Tokyo's Shibuya Ward has vowed to prevent trouble in his district during Halloween starting this weekend.

Mayor Ken Hasebe told a news conference on Thursday that Shibuya will welcome everyone who comes to enjoy themselves, while maintaining decent behavior. But he warned against ill-mannered or disorderly conduct.

Shibuya had a number of incidents of vandalism and other criminal activity in its shopping streets and entertainment areas during last year's Halloween.

The spree led to Shibuya introducing an ordinance early this year banning alcohol drinking on the streets and parks near Shibuya Station during Halloween.

The ordinance also asks liquor stores and other shops to refrain from selling alcoholic drinks in those areas during the period.

Under the ordinance, drinking on the streets will be prohibited at night, between October 25 through 27, and on October 31 and November 1.

The mayor said he hopes the ordinance will be abolished someday in the future, but the ward had no choice but to adopt it, as facilities on the street were destroyed or defiled.

While Tokyo police will deploy their officers around Shibuya Station, the ward will separately place more than a hundred security guards in downtown areas this Saturday and on October 31.

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