Local police and authorities are strengthening surveillance in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward as revelers prepare to descend upon the bustling district for Halloween festivities.
Police are being extra vigilant this year after a
man who wore a Joker costume attacked 17 people with a knife on a Tokyo train on Halloween last year. The man, who was arrested for attempted murder, told investigators that he initially planned to attack crowds of Halloween partygoers.
Aiming to prevent acts that would disturb public peace, the Shibuya Ward government decided to ban public drinking from night to early morning in areas near Shibuya Station. The ordinance is in effect through Tuesday and the ward also put up signs calling on visitors to abide by the rules. It plans to deploy some 100 security guards Saturday to ensure people’s safety.
The local government also decided to boost the number of staff members warning people against drinking or smoking on the street.
“Although we will not restrict visits (to Shibuya), we hope the visitors will observe the rules,” Shibuya Mayor Ken Hasebe said.
With COVID-19 rules eased, large Halloween crowds may return to Shibuya Ward, where costumed revelers typically gather around the district’s iconic scramble crossing.
After the Japanese government scrapped the daily cap on the number of people entering the country on Oct. 11, many foreign tourists are expected to visit as well.
The Metropolitan Police Department is also mobilizing more uniformed officers this year, anticipating a return of pre-pandemic crowds. The department also plans to strengthen efforts to counter groping and theft.
“We’ll actively conduct questioning for those in suspicious costumes,” a senior MPD official said.
