Tokyo's bustling Shibuya again cancels New Year's countdown

TOKYO, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo's Shibuya Ward has decided to suspend its traditional New Year's countdown event around its bustling train station for the fourth straight year, local media reported.

Shibuya Mayor Ken Hasebe has asked for understanding and cooperation, saying he decided not to hold events this year in light of an increase in the number of visitors to Shibuya, public broadcaster NHK said Sunday.

Shibuya Ward had held such events until 2019, but the ward suspended them in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ward officials were concerned that outdoor events might draw huge crowds and raise risks such as public drinking and crowd crushes, the report said.

Even so, officials said security measures will be strengthened compared to previous years, with security personnel deployed on New Year's Eve as many people are expected to gather at the famous scramble crossing in front of the station, it added. ■