13 arrested for groping, theft after Shibuya Halloween chaos

Be courteous and there will be no issues to complain about.

for a possible repeat of the past weekend's antisocial behavior.

Japan? Anti-social behavior? You gotta be kidding me! No way!

Hope everyone had a great time! Nice to see some folks still enjoy letting their hair down here! Japan needs the Diet members, and "Super Mario" to get down with this, maybe they too can a chance to loosen their panties!

Nearly all of the teens at the college I work on stated they would not go to Shibuya because it’s madness. This was quite different to previous years. It would seem that, the sensible teens an early twenties are over the Shibuya attraction and only the foolish are going there. This could spell disaster for the street party. I’m also sure there is a lot more crime than is reported. Under age drinking would be rampant.

There is so many things wrong with all of this on so many levels

Jerks almost always end up ruining events like this.

Maybe this is why Japanese culture is so strict.... when given an easy venue to be oneself without restriction, too many Japanese take advantage of it and ruin it for others. Guess what.... yup, another rule is now on the way, one banning people from congregating for Halloween festivities in public areas. I'm starting to realize why Japan has so many do's and don'ts. We need to contain the nature of this beast the have inside.

Yubaru:

Japan needs the Diet members, and "Super Mario" to get down with this, maybe they too can a chance to loosen their panties!

The Governor of Tokyo, a former Defense Minster, Yuriko Koike joined the party in costume for the occasion.

https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2018/10/28-1/tokyo-governor-yuriko-koike-cosplays-as-maetel-from-galaxy-express-999

https://www.gettyimages.fi/photos/tokyo-governor-koike-attends-halloween-event?sort=mostpopular&mediatype=photography&phrase=tokyo%20governor%20koike%20attends%20halloween%20event

Maybe this is why Japanese culture is so strict.... when given an easy venue to be oneself without restriction, too many Japanese take advantage of it and ruin it for others.

Are you sure it isn't the other way around? Japanese people cut loose when they can because they typically live under strict circumstances?

I remember dressing up for Halloween....when I was ten.

Hold the event at Odaiba.

A total of 4 people arrested doesnt seem like a big deal.

@socrateos..... which do you think came first? Was the Japanese Culture always so strict... i.e. just a matter of fact part of their hereditary DNA.... or did it evolve over time due to circumstance and certain propensities. Of course you're right about them letting off steam due to the strict culture but that culture got this way somehow. Many will say it is because of the large population in a small area. But is that all of it, the whole reason behind this strict culture or did they just not want to be like their neighbors.

That DJ Police thing worked once. By now people realize they aren’t DJs at all and are actually just.....police.

Instagram is helping a lot.

""I fear Shibuya will be labeled a scary place." Lol... just visit any city in the EU or USA. Its called normal life.

@ gogogo,

What are you talking about? What's wrong with a parade? What levels??

Everybody loves a parade!

If someone has gun and shoot there, crowd would be incredible panic. very glad here no guns.

The people enjoyed themselves. And ZERO corporations/companies involved -- the people did it on their own!

I have never been to Shibuya to celebrate Halloween. Is the street party really a party with food, music, games and dancing or just people in costume milling around? Loved to celebrate Halloween by dressing up to attend a friend's party (she really loves costume parties) at home. Dunking for apples, eating pumpkin pies, handing out treats to the children who ring the doorbell (sometimes scaring the bejesus out of them before handing out the chocolates!), movie marathon (screamfest natch!)...

"I fear Shibuya will be labeled a scary place. I want Halloween street parties to be banned next year,"

Kinda sounds like the best location for a Halloween party!

I just kept seeing the word groping over and over in this article.

There are guys who go out just to do their regular nampa, stand in the middle of the street with their underwear hanging out.

These guys in downtown Tokyo have created their own Monster. I dont think they know what Trick or Treating is, although Im not sure if I want people ringing my doorbell for snax either.

It was only a few years ago when right-wing nutters were verbally abusing westerners, accusing them of peddling their Christian(!) western values in Japan by celebrating Halloween in Japan. Anybody remember that? You can't blame the foreigners now.

This is just cos-play, mixed up with bad behaviour. And what the heck has Mario got to do with Halloween?

And why the heck isn't Jamie Lee Curtis' Halloween (2018) not showing in Japanese cinemas? I can even see an official trailer with Japanese subtitles. Are they thinking of showing it during October 2019?

Ludicrous overreaction from elderly men frightened by the youth having a good time. I was there 2 years ago (much against my will, I can't say I'm interested) but it was great fun and I'd gladly go again. I've seen more trouble at dominos night in an old geezers pub in the UK. Why do they have to suck the joy and spontaneity out of everything in this country?

How many thousands of people? Jampacked like sardines. No riots, no fights, only 4 arrests. I say that went relatively okay.

Alfie, i was there 2 years ago as well. And the year before that too. Year by year it is getting worse and worse. The first year i went it was 80% costumes, and a really good time. 2 years ago it was less than half costumes, half tourists and photographers. Last year there were only a few costumes, or at best just girls with some blood marks drawn on their faces, and guys with Donki character hats. Each year more and more people are going just for the chance to get drunk and do nampa.

Looking at the pics this year it was mostly non-costumes, and mostly just drunken idiots. Twitter searches show a lot of really disturbing behaviour. Just too many people in one area, so of course there will be a few bad eggs there doing their best to ruin it for everyone.

If the police manage to shut it down hardcore. Block off Center Gai and the surrounding streets, people might start to bring the halloween spirit to other areas. Stop concentrating in one area and i think that the bad behaviour will stop happening. Some of the other cities in Japan could get into it too... no need to have all the country bumpkins travelling to tokyo to rage out in Shibuya

Toshiyuki Ono, who heads a Shibuya store owners' association, said the Halloween celebrations have descended into a "riot."

Some people have no idea what a riot is. The only criminals appear to be the molesters who, if they hadn't been doing their groping here, would likely have been doing it somewhere else.

Wheres all the costumes? I dont see many in the above photo.

A riot? A riot of fun. Confusion rained, society is collapsing, these youngsters are having fun without any structure, nor have they produced a " fun" menu. And for gods sake there is no mascot? for this event! It's totally unacceptable, we should ban young people there nothing but trouble! Thank god there are so few of them left.

If you look closely at that photo, you will see that at least half (possibly more) of the people are not wearing costumes at all. Halloween is for little kids. This farce is not a Halloween festival at all. It&s just a farcical excuse for a bit of excapism from the realities of living in Tokyo.

Ludicrous overreaction from elderly men frightened by the youth having a good time. I was there 2 years ago (much against my will, I can't say I'm interested) but it was great fun and I'd gladly go again. I've seen more trouble at dominos night in an old geezers pub in the UK. Why do they have to suck the joy and spontaneity out of everything in this country?

Probably because they are not respecting the area at all and already flipped over a truck just going about its business, ruined a stores ticket vending machine by putting water into it etc. Shibuya is a place that people live in, work in, generally have lives in. Its not a giant club and its not even a sanctioned event; its just congregation of people getting in the way, getting drunk, and inevitably someone is going to start something.

The Halloween festivities in Shibuya has been getting worse and worse every year. I just hope that local ordinance will be put in place to stop it from happening again next year.

Looking at the pics this year it was mostly non-costumes

It seems that way from the photo provided on this article as well, I also notice a whole lotta men! Maybe it's morphed into something like the "ee ja nai ka" phenomenon, drawing ever-larger amounts of opportunistic bad characters and the curious, losing connection with "Halloween" --tenuous because there is not a long cultural knowledge and history of the holiday in Japan. It seems to be following older scripts (older to Japanese people) that actually have precedent in Japanese history, just as the other imported holidays tend to do.

Had a great time there....sure, you're packed like a sardine trying to wander around and pinball off of others who are also not looking at where there going due to the endless "distractions", but otherwise no biggie. Yeah, the vibe is more aggressive than a normal night on Center gai, but there were plenty of police in miniskirts and fishnets, nuns in miniskirts and fishnets, nurses in miniskirts and fishnets, and zombie brides to take care of any problems.

If someone has gun and shoot there, crowd would be incredible panic. very glad here no guns.

1 million people crammed into Times Square on New Years Eve and no one gets shot.

I wouldn’t worry about any few bad apples ruining it, the corps will do that just fine. They’ll figure out some way they can sell tickets to some event, pass the brown bag, and the governments will turn the free Shibuya celebration into a ghost town.

My best memories of celebrating Halloween were always costume parties with a group of 20 to 40 friends.

Halloween revelers were there since the weekend, imagine the shops closing and losing business for a week now. I love halloween parties but this is obviously causing inconvenience to so many. Just change the venue to Yoyogi park and prohibit people from gathering in front of the shops and the roads.

iraira21

Had a great time there....sure, you're packed like a sardine trying to wander around and pinball off of others who are also not looking at where there going due to the endless "distractions", but otherwise no biggie. Yeah, the vibe is more aggressive than a normal night on Center gai, but there were plenty of police in miniskirts and fishnets, nuns in miniskirts and fishnets, nurses in miniskirts and fishnets, and zombie brides to take care of any problems.

Please explain that to the business owners who are having bad sales and inconvenience since Saturday. Halloween Party is fun, but not on public places. Do it in some park or club.

please explain your (single) opinion to the several hundred thousand people that don't feel the same way as you.

stores ought to know better by now that halloween night is going to be crazy in shibuya.

Crowds aside, I don't think I would last a second out there with people blaring and flash mobbing to Da Pump's U.S.A. song everywhere. Yes, I am getting older and crabbier but that song is just plain annoying.

Anything that gets people to stop squinting at the screens on their cell phones for several hours can't be all bad.

People had a great time, what is wrong with that? has to be regulations on everything you do in life?

Yes there are weirdos around, but there is weirdos everywhere here, so how can you regulate that?

Just need to enjoy life, life is to short, dressing up having fun with friends is harmless and fun and as one poster said, no corporations and other third party is involved, it is for the people by the people.

Overwhelming crowds are a nuissance, but it is a lot of people who want to escape the everyday norm and enjoy themselves. So imagine the 2020 how worse it will become, when 3 million + people from abroad come here and partying every night for 2 weeks here.

Anyway, life is short, enjoy life, be positive and stay awesome!

Kenji Fujimori

People had a great time, what is wrong with that? has to be regulations on everything you do in life?

There is nothing wrong with having fun, but when people start breaking private properties like that truck that was turned upside down, causing inconvenience to shop owners and residents and women getting groped? Then it becomes a problem. Can you replace that truck that was destroyed for fun? That truck is being used by someone for livelihood! Like I said above I love halloween parties but we do it in private place without causing others troubles. It should be a win win for everyone. Regulation is important so we can all get rid of the weirdos! If people will act civilized then there will be less hassles and parties will be more fun. Shibuya is a public place, there should be limitations. Do this in Yoyogi park!

"I fear Shibuya will be labeled a scary place. I want Halloween street parties to be banned next year," 

Mate, it's Hallowe'en. It's kind of supposed to be scary. It's the whole point.

Crowds aside, I don't think I would last a second out there with people blaring and flash mobbing to Da Pump's U.S.A. song everywhere. Yes, I am getting older and crabbier but that song is just plain annoying.

It's actually a cover version of an old Eurobeat tune by someone called Joe Yellow. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them or someone connected to them came across it at a Japanese aerobics class. Basically, da Pump have done a Laura Branigan. Both her big hits Gloria and Self Control were cover versions of Italian Disco tunes. You may remember her more fondly than da Pump, because Italian Disco is a far superior form of music to Eurobeat.

For Halloween, yes, it looks like there are a lot of gapers there to go with the cosplay kiddies. Since the Halloween is further raising the profile of Shibuya, I would be hesitant to listen to shopkeepers talking of a temporary fall in takings. They will profit year round from people seeing Shibuya as the go-to place.

noypikantokuToday

Please explain that to the business owners who are having bad sales and inconvenience since Saturday. Halloween Party is fun, but not on public places. Do it in some park or club.

Japan has all sorts of events (matsuri, hanabi, awaodori, etc) that have effects on the local businesses (some positive/some negative) and the businesses survive just fine. In addition, the increase of or the adoption of an "important cultural event" is part of how society evolves and provides other business opportunities (selling Halloween goods, etc since the end of August) knowing full well that revelers will make Shibuya a partyzone fr a few nights at the end of October. And, it is not society's responsibility to make every day/night a perfect environment for businesses to operate at their maximum potential. If a relatively non-violent series of street parties disrupts the steady flow of customers for a few nights, that is society's choice. If the street party becomes seriously violent and has a lasting impact on businesses, then it might need to be regulated.

For what reason can you ban this ? No way.

So many reactionaries on JT lol! Am not into Halloween but I hope ppl had fun.

I’m also sure there is a lot more crime than is reported. Under age drinking would be rampant.

Nothing wrong with underage drinking ( if possible moderate) especially in countries where the legal drinking age is 20.

Iraira21, did you pick up? Come on tell us!

goldorakToday  

Iraira21, did you pick up? Come on tell us!

Are you asking me whether I picked up any garbage that I may have accidentally dropped? Yeah, Eco Halloween.

With regards to the other potential definition of "pick up", two members of the group I was with would have seriously kicked my ass and force me to explain to the wifey why my ass was bruised, had I behaved "excessively" and "inappropriately", so there was an unofficial "30 second maximum conversation with unknown maids, bunnies, miniskirt police, nurses, strippers, Mario girls, etc" rule imposed.

iraira25

Japan has all sorts of events (matsuri, hanabi, awaodori, etc) that have effects on the local businesses (some positive/some negative) and the businesses survive just fine. In addition, the increase of or the adoption of an "important cultural event" is part of how society evolves and provides other business opportunities (selling Halloween goods, etc since the end of August) knowing full well that revelers will make Shibuya a partyzone fr a few nights at the end of October. And, it is not society's responsibility to make every day/night a perfect environment for businesses to operate at their maximum potential. If a relatively non-violent series of street parties disrupts the steady flow of customers for a few nights, that is society's choice. If the street party becomes seriously violent and has a lasting impact on businesses, then it might need to be regulated

Not true, Matsuri and Hanabi events have designated areas and tons of meetings and planning before they are held .They compromise with business owners and residents. And most of all Matsuris don't break and turn private trucks upside down. Matsuri are well regulated and organized, Apples and Oranges man. I am not saying to ban the halloween costume party at all, but make a designated area for it. Not all people are into partying etc and it's their right to be considered as well. Halloween revelers can walk around, but to stay in the middle of the street to drink and rave? They need to do that somewhere where they are not disturbing. The problem with Shibuya halloween is no one is organizing this. People can just do whatever they want and that's the cause of the chaos.

One truck was turned upside down , that has a lasting impact to who ever the owner of that truck is. We all don't knoe how that will affect the person's livelihood for the sake of fun!? Come on!  Please stop insisting that it wasn't a violent event! It was a riot, there were fights, police arrests and groping. What? Are you waiting for someone to die first before you consider regulating this?  Why wait for this incident? It's too selfish and immature to not consider the others because you want to have fun. I love Halloween parties but I make sure that when I have fun I am not causing troubles to others! We are adults , not kids.

Old men fear young people having good time shocker!

Apart from the opportunistic perverts who hopefully will be caught, this was hardly a riot.

The problem with Shibuya halloween is no one is organizing this. People can just do whatever they want and that's the cause of the chaos.

Nah, that's people power, spontaneous fun and partying. Recreation and the people can't and shouldn't be fenced in.

Toasted Heretic

Recreation and the people can't and shouldn't be fenced in.

What if someone burns your car just for fun? Is that ok too?

1 truck (mini truck) was turned on it's side after trying to drive through a packed crowd! Local businesses closed at 5pm. Young people smiling having fun, off script. And the reaction, regulate it, impose rules, move it. Think as a democracy 1000's outway the 10's of grumpy old shop owners, we all own this city. Not just business owners.

Really? Are there people here defending this year's "Halloween" in Shibuya? Have you seen the news? Sure, they are having fun, in their own way. But when said way surpasses the common sense (and the true Halloween spirit) , don't you think it's time to regulate things? At least demark an area or set an official date?

Garbage everywhere, a truck being turned over, "pranks" with products on store shelves, some fights, perverts and thefts. And, I suppose, a lot more than reported. Is that Halloween? Is that how adults behave in a party? Did you know that in the morning some kids were collecting the garbage left by those irresponsible adults?

Oh, it wasn't mentioned in the article, but when the fire broke out and the fire truck was running for the location, it took much more time than it normally would because some people just wouldn't open way to the truck. Really, really sad.

Of course, not everyone was like that. And yes, saying the party itself WAS a riot may be too much. It would be better to say there WERE some riots during the party...

Cricky

1 truck (mini truck) was turned on it's side after trying to drive through a packed crowd! Local businesses closed at 5pm. Young people smiling having fun, off script. And the reaction, regulate it, impose rules, move it. Think as a democracy 1000's outway the 10's of grumpy old shop owners, we all own this city. Not just business owners.

The driver has the right to pass, it's a public place it's this party people should move out of the way. It's heideous and radical attitude. If that's the case it isn't a costume party anymore. The roads are for public transportation not a dance floor. You don't own the city unfortunately so you have to take your immaturity somewhere else out of a civillized country.

Vallum

Well said! I also cannot understand that many immature and selfish people don't get our point because they want to have fun and they dont give a damn, they are like kids.

We are not saying to totally Ban the halloween costume parties etc. but it's about time to regulate this after all the troubles and crimes committed this week. The park is wide open! Do it there!

I have to face solemn looking cult christians at many train stations. Their message is hatred and bigotry. I personally believe, that to celebrate fun and diversity, escape stress and just play in the street is better, than pushing bibles on lonely dementia people.

Goodlucktoyou

escape stress and just play in the street is better

So breaking properties, blocking the roads, littering, fighting and groping are all okay with you as long as people are having fun?

The roads are for public transportation not a dance floor. You don't own the city unfortunately so you have to take your immaturity somewhere else out of a civillized country.

In more civilized countries, streets are for people.

Walking is the oldest form of transportation. A single driver in a two ton metal cage has no more right to the road than anywhere else - except perhaps in overly patriarchal, oppressive societies with no real history of democracy.

I pass thru Shibuya to and from work every day, and last night it was packed but kids were just having fun. With that many people, of course there is going to be a few wackos or whatever mixed in there, but no big deal. The kids here are so controlled all through their school lives up till university, then they cut loose a bit in uni for a few years, then get a job, where instead of being under the thumb of teachers and parents (well actually, maybe not parents as most grads still live with their folks till they get married or whatever), they place themselves directly under the thumb of management. People wonder why it's a little messed up here-it's because there ain't much freedom, in a social sense.

Gropers and the like are another story and should be thrown in jail, but the kids are alright. Too bad so many of them lead such a bleak day-to-day existence.

If you are worried about danger, don't go there on Halloween. Weekends can be a bit crowded too.

I see the number of arrests has been increased from 4 to 13 since this morning. I have to feel a little sorry for those who took the blue bill and posted about how few arrests there were.

I guess 13 is quite low for the number of people there, but I’m also sure there were many more cases of theft and groping that went unreported.

This mob mass hysteria has zero to do with Halloween.

They’re going to ruin Halloween for next year. Giving a black-eye to Halloween for everyone who wants to go out & party next year.

It sounds like it was a energetic party, as for the rubbish, did any one from the local council/ward area install temporary waste bins for people to put the used cartons in? this is one of foreigners gripes with Japan, and that's the lack of waste bins, if the ward area comity, had hired a number of large wheeled bins and had them in and around the area I am sure they would be used, so less rubbish would be on the floor.

yokohamarides

In more civilized countries, streets are for people.

Walking is the oldest form of transportation. A single driver in a two ton metal cage has no more right to the road than anywhere else - except perhaps in overly patriarchal, oppressive societies with no real history of democracy.

So 14 cases of groping and theft is also accepted to your idea of real democracy?

@theFritzx This mob mass hysteria has zero to do with Halloween.

Care to elaborate, or just flaming?

SirFrancisWinchester

Gropers and the like are another story and should be thrown in jail, but the kids are alright. Too bad so many of them lead such a bleak day-to-day existence.

So if me and my friends decide to party in front of your house and turn your car side because we are having fun, will that be okay with you?

If you are worried about danger, don't go there on Halloween. Weekends can be a bit crowded too.

Everything needs to be regulated, no one is suggesting to stop halloween tradition, but just find a more approriate place for it. You cannot compromise that there are only 14 women who were groped and think it is still ok. It's caused troubles to many people and that is enough to think about organizing and regulating it.

Noypikantoku

Its not a residential area, but a commercial/shopping district that is packed, so your comparison is not valid. I didn't say overturning is ok- the subtext of "gropers and the like " would include criminals of any type. I'll be more specific next time. Point is most young people are in an always-busy area having fun like people do on New Year's, St. Patrick's, etc., in other cities. Where else should they go?

Who compromised 14 woman being groped? Not me, plus the headline says 13 arrested for groping, theft.

Did anyone notice in the footage of the small truck being rolled over that two of the 'revellers' tipping it up where non-Japanese? Bad enough when Japanese yobbos start causing drunken chaos without 'tourists' getting involved

Very good posts, sirfrancis, agree wholeheartedly.

All things considered, kids were remarkably well-behaved last night. Could it have been even better? yep sure, but it would be unrealistic to expect thousands of 15-25yo in party-mode to behave like model citizens.

All euro football cities, benidorm, salou, greece, the Gold Coast during schoolies week etc could only dream of such well-behaved crowds.

“Where’s Waldo?”

I disagree -- it was not "chaos."

You call that 'chaos'? See Gothenburg, Cologne, London, Paris, Toronto....

As for trash, the Japanese terrorists whose attacks were responsible for trash bins being removed,

were caught, convicted, and hanged.

Why are there still no trash bins anywhere, anymore?

SirFrancisWinchesterIV

Its not a residential area, but a commercial/shopping district that is packed, so your comparison is not valid.

So your point is if it's a congested shopping district, it is okay to break and turn vehicles upside down? Can you show us evidence that this is allowed by the Japanese law?

> Point is most young people are in an always-busy area having fun like people do on New Year's, St. Patrick's, etc., in other cities. Where else should they go?

Parks, clubs, or close some streets if they have to , but not everywhere! Again we are not suggesting to stop the halloween party! I go to halloween parties myself too. My point is to regulate this, organize and find a more appropriate place to hold it. You can't just do this EVERYWHERE. The city is not just for young party people. New Year's , St. Patrick's, Japanese Matsuris have designated areas where everyone can do whatever they want. They should do the same for this to stop the damage they do to other civilians.

Who compromised 14 woman being groped?

Sorry for the typo error (14) . When you said that , if people don't wan't danger then avoid these places right? I felt you are compromising to everyone that if we all don't want to be victims of anything dangerous (including groping) then we should just avoid Shibuya during Halloween? It sounds like you are victim blaming and suggesting that we should adjust instead to these criminals.

No-one's condoning overturning the truck. But clearly, the driver had a common-sense bypass.

He probably saw the green light and thought, "ok, my turn to go."

I have news for him. Green does not mean "Go." Green means "Go if it is sensible and safe to go."

Bamboozler

I have news for him. Green does not mean "Go." Green means "Go if it is sensible and safe to go."

It was parked at the side and group of young drunk men pushed hard to turn it down and cheered up. Please tell me if that is a rational behavior?

I'm glad to read that there are concerned citizens who care enough to clean up and keep Shibuya a clean and nice area, despite the apparent rotten apples who assume out of the community and Japan.

If the police had any sense they would close the roads around Shibuya to traffic during events like this. It would result in less crowding and a smoother flow of pedestrians. Let the stinky cars take the long way round and give the streets back to the people.

Mass hysteria by yowamushi who dont have the guts to stand up to the establishment but gang up gleefully on fellow citizens, backed up by a mob.

Noypikantoku

It was parked at the side 

You have a point, if it was parked rather than trying to inch through the crowd. Several sources (Mainichi, Japan Times...) mention that the driver left the vehicle to alert police. It's possible he was in a parked vehicle before the trouble started, but it's also possible the hooligans targeted his vehicle over several others because he was trying to make his way through the crowd. Maybe we'll never know, but I still think it was inadvisable to take a vehicle into the middle of a very crowded, partying town.