Shinjuku joins Shibuya in banning street drinking around the Halloween season while the latter extends its ban all year round. How will this affect not just public celebrations but life in the busy nightlife centers in general?
Shinjuku deals with Shibuya Halloween refugees
On June 21st, days after Shibuya approved a year-long ban, Shinjuku enacted an ordinance that bans public drinking during Halloween. Neither ordinance has a penalty.
Shinjuku is the second ward to regulate street drinking after Shibuya, which introduced bans during Halloween and New Year celebrations last year.
Shinjuku will ban public drinking between the evening of October 31st and the following morning. The mayor can impose restrictions on other occasions that are deemed necessary. Street drinkers will receive instruction from officials. Additionally, stores will be advised to halt alcohol sales when bans are in effect.
According to Shinjuku officials, the ward saw an increase in street drinking and littering last year as party-goers flocked away from the patrolled streets of Shibuya. Some say that the record-setting increase in tourism to Japan has also contributed to a public drinking problem.
Shibuya’s year-round ban will go into effect from October 1st this year. The ban applies between 6 PM and 5 AM the following day to the northern areas of Shibuya station, areas surrounding the ward office and Miyashita Park, and the night club district of Maruyamacho.
Incidents preceded Tokyo’s crackdown on public drinking, such as drunk partyers overturning a truck during Halloween in 2018. A ban on drinking was imposed on certain areas in 2019 but was rendered ineffective when many took to the streets to drink when restaurants closed during the pandemic.
Shibuya ward officials’ investigation found that the average daily number of individuals caught drinking in public increased from 107.5 to 158.4 in the past year. Over 70% were foreigners.
Mixed reactions
Public comments shared by Shinjuku ward are a mix of criticism and support. One commenter said that the ordinance is “an arbitrary ban” and “excessive regulation.”
“Drinking on the street is not necessarily a nuisance. Rather, it’s a means of communication for many people. Banning it could lead to a loss of culture.”
Shinjuku ward officials responded that “Restricting street drinking by ordinance is not arbitrary but a necessary regulation that serves the public interest.”
Another commenter, thankful for officials’ intervention, said that they are “grateful,” but thinks that “it is ineffective unless the ban is made permanent.” Others pointed out that ordinances must come with penalties attached for real improvements and results.
Local ordinances can include penalties of up to 2 years in prison and a fine of up to 1 million yen (USD $).
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Sources
新宿 歌舞伎町 ハロウィーン期間中の路上飲酒禁止の条例案可決. NHK
渋谷の路上飲酒、通年で禁止に…改正条例10月施行・罰則なし. 読売新聞
