Tokyo’s Shibuya Area Bans Alcohol Due to Fears of Overcrowding During Halloween Celebrations

Last year, the world was left shocked after over 150 people, mostly young costumed partygoers in their teens and 20s were killed in a crowd surge and stampede at a Halloween event in Seoul’s popular Itaewon nightlife district.

Hoping to avoid any similar incidents from repeating, a ban on alcohol has come into force around Tokyo’s tourist hotspot Shibuya in an attempt to discourage Halloween gatherings.

“We’re extremely concerned accidents similar to the fatal case in Itaewon in Seoul last October could happen anytime,” the district’s mayor Ken Hasebe, said this month.

Meanwhile, a video has been released by authorities in Japanese and English focused on the annoyances that such events cause to locals, such as vandalism, litter, and noise.

“This Halloween night everyone should stay away from Shibuya. Some people live in Shibuya. Violence. Drinking on the street. Smoking on the street. Traffic violation. You can’t choose how your actions will affect others.”

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Also read: South Korea’s Deadliest Stampede: 5 Things We Know So Far