Tokyo's Shibuya Ward has started restricting the use of alcohol on the streets around Shibuya railway station to head off trouble before Halloween on Tuesday.

The restriction became effective at 6 p.m. Japan time on Friday. About 30 ward officials began patrolling the designated area at around 7 p.m. They instructed anyone drinking on the streets to stop doing so.

In the past, large numbers of people gathered around Shibuya Station from the weekend before Halloween to the day. Some caused trouble linked to drinking.

This is the first Halloween since coronavirus restrictions were lifted. The virus was downgraded to the same category as seasonal flu in May.

Since the downgrading, cases of street drinking have increased in the area. Officials say there is a higher risk of serious trouble.

In early October, Shibuya Ward mayor Hasebe Ken said he wants to avoid overcrowding and other raucous activities in the wake of last year's deadly Halloween crowd crush in South Korea. Hasebe stressed, "Shibuya is not going be a Halloween event venue this year. I want to make this message clear to the world."

The restriction will be in place from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. through November 1.

Shibuya Ward will mobilize a total of 450 officials and security guards during the period. In addition to checking for alcohol use, they will urge crowds not to stay in the same location to allow the smooth flow of pedestrian traffic.

A ward official said many people are not aware of the rule, and that many foreign people come to the area. The official also said they will explain this to visitors and call for cooperation.