Mayor Urges Caution as Halloween Celebrations Risk Disaster in Tokyo's Shibuya District

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Mayor Urges Caution as Halloween Celebrations Risk Disaster in Tokyo's Shibuya District

Paraphrased Text: The mayor of Shibuya, a bustling shopping and entertainment area in Tokyo, is appealing to Halloween revelers to avoid the district this year due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. The mayor fears that a multitude of partygoers gathering in large numbers could lead to a catastrophic incident similar to the fatal crowd surge that occurred in Seoul's Itaewon district last year. While understanding the global allure of Halloween celebrations, the mayor underscored the potential danger of overcrowding in Shibuya, particularly around its renowned scramble crossing near the train station. Despite a decrease in crowd sizes during the pandemic, the streets of Shibuya were once again packed on Halloween last year, prompting city authorities to worry that this year's turnout may be even worse.