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The Tokyo Metropolitan Police plan to limit pedestrian access to Shibuya's famous scramble crossing to avoid potential trouble from rowdy revelers on New Year's Eve.
Every year, thousands of young people flock to Shibuya Station for the New Year countdown. However, police say that in recent years, the numbers have gotten out of hand, increasing the risk of traffic accidents, stampedes and other serious incidents such as causing damage to shops and restaurants.
Among measures announced by police on Friday, the Hachiko entrance/exit and some of the underground subway entrances will be closed from 10 p.m. on New Year's Eve until 2 a.m. on Jan 1, Fuji TV reported.
Police will also mobilize several hundred officers and set up metal barriers along roads leading to the station to keep people from spilling onto the streets and at the intersection.
The “DJ” police officer, who became famous for his handling of the crowd during the 2014 soccer World Cup, will once again be on hand. The officer, who urged the fans not to get carried away, become a “star” on YouTube because of his eloquent and humorous speaking style. He was also on duty at Shibuya on Halloween this year.
Customers at shops and restaurants, as well as workers, will be escorted by police to Shibuya Station via special routes.
© Japan Today
19 Comments
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M3M3M3
In every other major global city there is some type of organized celebration/countdown/fireworks for young people to ring in the new year, but unfortunately nothing in Tokyo.
Justin Smith
Why not just close off the street to traffic and let pedestrians use the space
NZ2011
This disappoints me deeply each time this nonsense comes up.. doesn't matter if you look from the liberal left, people should be able to gather and do as they please as much as possible, or the conservative right, its a fantastic business and tourist opportunity.
Get it together old boring no vision people..
FizzBit
stampedes?!
Did they really say that? This isn't a Who concert
shonanbb
People should get back some soul and religion and go to their local shrines. Safe way to get drunk as a skunk and live.
YeahRight
Justin Smith beat me to the best idea.
nakanoguy01
because of all the trash and garbage that would accumulate from drunk revelers. let's face it, the era of the scramble celebration is over. it just got too popular, and now i actually agree about stopping it. the area is just not big enough to hold thousands of people safely. and there's always the drunk punks who act like idiots.
FizzBit
or maybe you're just getting old...lol. Hey, let the kids have their fun. I think to says a lot about change in Japan.
edojin
The key word here is "plan to" ... as in "plan to limit pedestrian access" ...
Well, good luck on this ... 'cause I doubt if all those revelers will abide by the new set of rules. Look for the usual wild scramble at the Shibuya crossing this New Year's Eve.
bjohnson23
In a politically correct global society, Japan is not far behind because in the old days the media would just be allowed to put it out there plainly, rather than write it out as what is meant they use the term, drunk revelers, when the truth of what is really meant to imply is rowdy foreigners.
Conspiracy Theories
Does Halloween come to mind for anybody?
TakahiroDomingo
FTP
you give priority to humans. dunk drivers should be banned, not happg people crossing the street
SenseNotSoCommon
Killjoy gerontocrats strike again.
The crossing could easily be temporarily pedestrianised without too much disruption to taxis or buses.
Does the mayor have the cojones to pedestrianise it permanently?
Kobe White Bar Owner
Scrabble?
Why does my J wife also use this word as its not a scrabble but a crossing/junction.
DaDude
I have never driven through Shibuya but is that intersection so important that a person can't take side roads to get to their destination? I agree, just close it off.
paulinusa
They should, but they won't. That would be perceived as rewarding "trouble makers"
shonanbb
Bring in the riot police like they did for Narita.
noriyosan73
If their lives are so BORING and there is nothing left to do, let them enjoy it. It may be the last activity they see on earth, but at least they can say, "I did it my way!" This event is extremely dangerous, but just like a balloon, if it is squeezed, the bubble appears some other place. Let's hope everyone survives. Good luck.
Citizen2012
If people are compressed against metal barrier it could really be dangerous, like it happened already at some stadium. Making that street just for pedestrian to celebrate the new year should be the best solution, people have the right to gather for celebrating as long as they are not harming others.