Ken Hasebe, Mayer of Shibuya Ward, and Kenichi Yoshizumi, Mayer of Shinjuku Ward, jointly called, “Keep rules” to visitors during this coming Halloween period at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan (FCCJ) press conference. Both of the Wards have suffered from immoral behaviors by visitors and over-tourism on the Halloween day.
Shibuya enforced a revised ordinance banning drinking on the streets throughout the year on October 1 2024, following the pervious limited ban only during the Halloween period and New Year period.
Shinjuku will enforce an ordinance banning drinking on the streets in Kabuki-cho area between 17:00 on October 31 and 5:00 on November 1 2024.
According to Hasebe, Last year, after the city sent out a message urging people to refrain from visiting the area for Halloween, the number of visitors fell to around 15,000, far below the expected peak of 60,000. Also, Since the revised ordinance came in effect on October 1, visitors drinking on the streets have reduced to around 250 a day from around 700 a day.
長谷部渋谷区長
On the contrary, around 3,000 people moved to Cine City Park in Kabuki-cho on the Halloween day last year maybe because Shibuya called, “Do not visit Shibuya.” Yoshizumi recalled. “When dawn broke, trash was strewn across the streets, and Shinjuku Ward staff who had just arrived at work had to go and pick up trash in the city. Drinking on the streets is not allowed in Shinjuku..”
Hasebe explained the partnership with Shinjuku, “Shibuya Ward's efforts alone are not enough to prevent over-tourism. Strong measures are needed.”
Both of the Wards are educating visitors to keep rules and morality through a variety of media before the Halloween and enhancing patrol on the Halloween day.
吉住新宿区長
The ordinances have no penalties. Hasebe said, “It is difficult for local governments alone to create a system for imposing penalties on people who violate manners. We will take the initiative in requesting that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the national government do so.”
