Ban on nighttime drinking around Shibuya Station passed by ward

The assembly of Tokyo's Shibuya Ward on Monday unanimously approved an ordinance banning street drinking at night around Shibuya Station, effective Oct. 1.

Currently, the ward prohibits public drinking at Halloween and in the year-end and New Year holiday period.

The new ordinance extends the ban year-round, as street drinking among youngsters and foreign visitors has been increasingly common. People face no penalties for violations.

Street drinking will be prohibited from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Shibuya first introduced a ban in June 2019, as young people wearing costumes had repeatedly caused problems at Halloween.

In neighboring Shinjuku Ward, an ordinance introduced to its assembly would ban street drinking in Kabukicho and other busy areas around Halloween.