"Don't Come on Halloween" Shibuya in Japan Appeals Mentioning 'Itaewon'

Visitor Increase Expected Due to COVID-19 Quarantine Easing
Interpreted as Request to Refrain from Visiting Due to Safety Concerns

Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, known as a popular Halloween spot in Japan, has appealed to people not to visit during this year's Halloween period, mentioning the 'Itaewon tragedy.'

A crowd gathered in the bustling district of Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, to enjoy Halloween (October 31 every year). [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to Kyodo News on the 12th, Shibuya Ward Mayor Hasebe Ken held a press conference and said, "It would not be surprising if an incident like the Itaewon accident in Korea happened here," adding, "If your purpose is Halloween, I hope you do not come to Shibuya."

The mayor explained, "A large number of visitors, including foreigners visiting Japan, are expected," and "There have been fights caused by drinking on the streets, and trash problems have arisen."

He emphasized, "Shibuya is not a Halloween event venue," and "If safety is the top priority, I cannot help but say this."

Shibuya is known as a bustling area in Tokyo where many young people gather and as a famous Halloween spot where many young people and foreigners gather every year during Halloween to enjoy cosplay and festivities. With the easing of COVID-19 prevention policies, the number of foreign tourists has increased, raising concerns that the crowd could grow even larger and cause various problems, leading to the request to refrain from visiting.

In addition, based on an ordinance established to prevent accidents during the Halloween period, Shibuya Ward will ban drinking in public places such as streets and parks around Shibuya Station from 6 p.m. on October 27 to 5 a.m. on November 1.

On Halloween day, October 31, and the preceding Saturday, October 28, Shibuya Ward plans to request stores near Shibuya Station not to sell alcoholic beverages.

Furthermore, about 100 private security guards will be deployed, and together with the police and related agencies, security will be strengthened to ensure that crowds do not linger but keep moving.

Japanese administrative authorities and police also strengthened security during last year's Halloween following the Seoul Itaewon crowd crush incident.

Meanwhile, just before the global spread of COVID-19 in 2019, Shibuya Ward spent about 100 million yen (approximately 900 million KRW) to deploy security guards separately from the police to guide pedestrian traffic and enhance safety measures.

They also set a special Halloween vigilance period and posted notices appealing for courteous behavior such as "No acts that cause inconvenience to others" and "Make Halloween a pride of Shibuya" throughout the area.

At that time, it was reported that more than one million people gathered daily in central Shibuya, Tokyo.