In May this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Covid-19 would no longer be categorized a “public health emergency of international concern.” In the months since then, the number of cross-border travellers has increased sharply around the world. The area around Shibuya Station is often crowded with tourists from Japan and abroad. However, the damage caused by overtourism has become serious, resulting in property damage caused by drinking in the street, altercations with local residents, and littering of large amounts of empty cans and bottles. In addition, every year during Halloween, the area around Shibuya Station becomes so crowded that it is nearly impossible to move.
Considering the high likelihood that Shibuya would draw even more people than usual this year, Shibuya City officials have grown fearful of a disastrous crowd crush similar to the one in the Itaewon district in Seoul, South Korea, which killed more than 150 people in October last year.
Therefore, to protect the safety of residents, businesses, commuters, and tourists around Shibuya Station, the city is asking Japanese and international visitors to refrain from Halloween celebrations around Shibuya Station. Under local ordinance, drinking in the street will be prohibited in the area around the station from 6:00 pm to 5:00 am October 27-31. Nearby liquor stores will be requested not to sell alcohol during this period. In addition, Shibuya City plans to strengthen accident prevention measures compared with last year, including increasing the number of security guards commissioned by the City and strengthening traffic regulations in cooperation with police and railway operators.
Shibuya City Mayor Ken Hasebe said, “the streets of Shibuya are not Halloween party venues. To prevent trouble and disaster from happening, we ask tourists to refrain from coming to Shibuya during the Halloween period. We deeply appreciate everyone’s understanding of this matter.”
