TOKYO - The benches under the overpass in Shinjuku Ward, originally intended for three people, now accommodate only one, following the local government's decision to screw poles into the benches in an effort to deter late-night drinkers gathering and making noise.
A passerby commented, "It's clear they don't want people sitting here. I don't think the poles were here before."
Another said, "It looks hastily made. I wonder what the purpose is."
A man who frequently uses the benches while walking to rehabilitate his leg said, "Yes, these benches are helpful. I don't understand why they did this. Many people seem to sit here."
Despite the benches being popular, why were they made unusable? Speaking with a ward official revealed the reasoning.
The Shinjuku Ward official explained, "We received complaints about nighttime drinking, smoking, and noise. Last September, we installed the poles to limit the number of people. Because it's under an overpass, voices echo, so we needed to control the group sizes."
The official added that the decision to install the poles last September was prompted by a record number of complaints.
In recent years, efforts to regulate street drinking in areas like Shibuya and Shinjuku have intensified, especially during events like Halloween.
Since installing the poles, complaints about noise have significantly decreased.
Will such measures continue in the future?
The official concluded, "The poles are a temporary measure. We will continue to listen to feedback from the surrounding area and decide what to do with the benches."
Source: ANN
