1. The mayor of Tokyo’s Shibuya ward has asked people not to come to the area to celebrate Halloween this year. Before the coronavirus pandemic, many thousands of people came to Shibuya each year for Halloween.
2. Shibuya even prepared for the unofficial street party by setting up temporary toilets and spaces where people could change into their costumes.
3. And while Halloween fans were asked to celebrate at home during the coronavirus pandemic, it was thought big crowds of young people and tourists would return to Shibuya this Halloween.
Do you think Halloween was better a few decades ago or is it better now?
4. However, on September 12, Shibuya mayor Ken Hasebe told a news conference, “Shibuya isn’t a venue for Halloween events.” He added, “Please don’t gather around Shibuya Station for Halloween.”
5. Among the reasons for his decision, the mayor spoke of people drinking on the streets, fighting and leaving a lot of trash behind. He also said he was worried there could be a crowd crush like the one in Seoul last Halloween. Over 150 people died when too many people gathered in the city’s Itaewon area.
6. Between October 27 and 31, drinking on the street will be banned in the area around Shibuya Station from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Stores in the neighborhood will also be asked not to sell alcohol on October 28 and 31, when most people are likely to gather.
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8. And signs will be put up around Shibuya reading, “No Halloween events on Shibuya streets” in both Japanese and English.
