The Mayor of Shibuya in Tokyo, Japan, has taken an unusual move by advising the people to avoid the colourful zone during Halloween celebrations in order to prioritise public safety and avoid possible risks. This warning comes as safety worries cloud Halloween festivities.
Shibuya Safety Concerns Echoing Seoul’s Tragedy
Mayor Ken Hasebe referenced a detailed Kyodo News story from Thursday, September 14, 2023, to express his dissatisfaction with this important issue. He fears a situation like last year’s heartbreaking events in Seoul may happen in Shibuya’s busy streets. It’s called the “Itaewon Halloween tragedy.”
The Itaewon Halloween disaster, which shocked the globe, occurred on October 29, 2022, in Seoul’s vibrant entertainment area. Unfortunately, nearly 150 people died in this tragedy. Tens of thousands of revellers thronged the streets for the first big Halloween celebration after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, weaving overenthusiastic joy into this disastrous event.
Mayor Hasebe said clearly: “I do not want people to come to Shibuya if they are only here for Halloween.” Shibuya was never meant to be a hedonistic playground, as this daring claim shows. However, street drinking on Halloween is all too typical.
Mayor Hasebe also addressed additional safety concerns, such as the risk of altercations and littering during the festivities. The district’s famous pedestrian crossing attracts many people, including inquisitive foreigners, for Halloween festivities.
Shibuya Proactive Safety Measures
The local authorities have implemented strict steps to protect residents and tourists from these rising safety issues. Alcohol drinking at Shibuya Station will be ban from October 27, 2023, through the early hours of November 1, 2023. Store owners in the area have been respectfully asked to limit alcohol sales between October 28 and 31, 2023.
Approximately 100 security officers will be deployed across the area to implement these restrictions and preserve order. Local authorities are also preparing to increase tourist warnings. Mayor Hasebe also made a sincere appeal to the people not to gather in Shibuya, Tokyo, given the epidemic.
Itaewon’s Status
Ten months have passed since the heartbreaking Halloween incident in Itaewon, one of Seoul’s most popular nightlife areas. Shibuya now faces the threat of another catastrophe like Itaewon. An laborious quest to revive this thriving region has given diverse results.
An analytical July 2023 assessment from the South Korean Ministry of SMEs and Startups found that Itaewon retail sales had recovered to 85% of pre-tragedy levels. Telecom giant KT data support the optimistic revival. These figures show that Itaewon’s average weekly footfall in May 2023 increased to 75.6% from the final week of October 2022, before the unfortunate tragedy.
In March 2023, the Yongsan-gu Office began a coupon programme to revive Itaewon interest. Patrons flocked to these 20% discount certificates for Itaewon shops. These certificates accounted for 30% of sales at participating businesses.
Mixed Results in Recovery
This powerful recovery strategy prospered liquor establishments, which capitalised on out-of-town tourists who used coupons to buy reduced booze. Itaewon restaurants and shops also saw a rise in customers due to these discount vouchers. Five months after the coupon programme launched, many consumers still asked about discounts at other stores.
Itaewon’s revival is a mosaic of events. Some shop owners relieved when customers returned, while others faced a quieter business climate. Many saw unoccupied businesses with “for rent” signs as symbols of the varied rehabilitation paths following the tragedy.
Clothing and accessory retailers in Itaewon’s alleyways protested the government’s 85% sales recovery. Over the last month, several store owners reported a four-day revenue blackout, with eyeglass merchants most impacted. Clothing retailers around alley entrances saw a 25% sales drop compared to pre-pandemic levels. This drop compounded by previous year’s Halloween crowds.
Emphasising Itaewon Safety
The regional merchant consortium Itaewon Special Tourist Zone Association has taken a proactive approach to public safety issues. To make Itaewon safe and friendly for everybody is their goal. The dedicated shopkeepers of Itaewon are preparing for volunteer patrols.
This proactive commitment to accident avoidance and security sends a message that Itaewon is a safe and secure place. The association leader, Yoo Tae Hyuk, stressed the importance of these activities. They protect against accidents and shape visitors’ impressions of the neighbourhood, revitalising its appeal.
After devastating disasters, Shibuya and Itaewon must balance the safety of huge crowds on festive occasions with the desire to revive these culturally rich neighbourhoods. Finally, these landmark locations demonstrate the need of balancing tradition with security in our ever-changing society.