New Year’s drinking ban announced in Tokyo’s Shibuya district  

Citing concerns over safety and security, the Shibuya Countdown Executive Committee has cancelled the New Year’s celebrations and ordered a ban on the consumption of alcohol.

The announcement comes following similar restrictions put in place over Halloween, which saw 300 private security guards hired to patrol the area and enforce the drinking ban, in an effort to deter any mass gatherings of revellers.

While Covid-19 concerns were cited as reasons for previous cancellations, worries over the growing crowds in Shibuya seem to be the reason behind this year’s alcohol ban.

In a public statement, the Shibuya Countdown Executive Committee said the decision was made “in view of the increased number of visitors since the summer.”

Once one of Tokyo’s most famous spots for the New Year’s countdown, with 100,000 attendees estimated annually since it began in 2016, this will be the fourth year in a row that celebrations have been cancelled.

As part of the ban, the city has urged kiosks, convenience stores and retailers in the Shibuya district to refrain from selling alcohol to partygoers.

In efforts to deter crowds from gathering in the well-known party neighbourhood, the famous large screen displays overlooking the Shibuya crossing will be turned off at 11pm ahead of the New Year’s countdown.

The ban will be in effect in the downtown neighbourhood from 6pm on New Year’s Eve until 5am the following day, with an increased police presence in place to monitor crowds.