The Tokyo metropolitan police department will mobilize 800 officers and erect metal barriers to restrict pedestrian access to the popular Shibuya scramble crossing before, during and after Japan's World Cup opening match against Cote d'Ivoire on Sunday morning.
The game will be televised live in Japan from 10 a.m.
In the past, whenever Japan has played an international match in Japan, thousands of fans have gathered in Shibuya to watch the game in sports bars. After the game, the over-excited crowds spill out onto the street, blocking traffic. Police said that after recent games, rowdy fans have also caused damage to shops and restaurants.
Last year, after Japan played a crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia in Saitama, police limited pedestrian access to the scramble crossing. Police employed the same security measures on New Year's Eve.
On Sunday, customers at shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as workers, will be escorted by police to and from Shibuya Station via special routes.
© Japan Today
17 Comments
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sillygirl
Escorted or guided? If escorted make sure they are cute and not pervy.
John Becker
Smart move. Good for safety.
Yuya Koike
Good because they are NOT football fan, but only wanna make a great fuss.
gogogo
Why not let the people have their fun, what a nanny state
doedel
They should restrict car access and even invite more crowds.
LostinNagoya
Have fun guys!!!
Baibaikin
@doedel. Completely agree. It makes more sense to make the crossing temporarily unavailable to traffic.
warispeace
Here is a clear case of one of the contradictions of capital, where the authorities side unfairly with protecting the rights of private capital over the democratic rights of the public to move freely.
Maiko Fujiwara
I wanna see DJ police again,haha.
bogva
I've been witness of one of those "spill outs" after a game. Still Japan is way more tame than other countries with hooligan record. The crowd was waiting for the signal to change and just then people rushed to the crossing having fun and showing their joy! Well it took some time the police to clear the crossing but they were more messing with the people then helping things. After all the cars had to wait a bit more for their turn.
I also think car access should be changed or simply stop the signal and let people have thir fun longer, then let the cars pass and so on...
borax
In the past, there have been people throwing fireworks into crowds, climbing high up lampposts and falling off, and damaging shops. Trying to prevent dangerous drunken nonsense like this does not make Tokyo/Japan a "nanny state". Have all the fun you want, just keep it under control; all the police are going to be doing is helping with that second part.
Ah_so
Won't somebody please think of the children?
TorafusuTorasan
Especially the children escorting, er, guiding the poor blind soccer players who can't find their way onto the pitch alone.
Elis Kulla
Cmon! What will happen for the Olympics when there will be people from other countries too. I like Japanese way of taking detailed measures to prevent chaos, but this is overreaction. If Japan wins the game, let the fans celebrate... The 800 cops can help the flow other than block it. Why not block the cars and its easier, it will get free of pollution too
Vernie Jefferies
Don't worry about the children. They should be in school during this time.
Spanki
Close the crossing to cars and show the game on the big screens.
buchailldana
Yes dont allow any spontaneous outbreaks of Joy.Bet it would be open for a party if they beat China in a fight