Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Halloween was celebrated in Tokyo this year despite pleas from the authorities not to gather due to COVID-19 and a general election held on the same day.

The Shibuya district of Tokyo is known for its wild Halloween party, thousands of people usually gather near the famous Shibuya Scramble crossing to show off their Halloween outfits.

This year, the authorities asked people to avoid the area due to the coronavirus pandemic, but with daily infection numbers below 30 in Tokyo, many hit the streets to celebrate. 

Authorities were also worried about the possibility of violence, similar to what occurred three years ago when a truck was overturned.

Although crowd numbers were down this year, many turned up in colorful and bizarre Halloween costumes, and anti-COVID masks. 

Some also may have been wary of gathering due to the recent train attack carried out by a young man who stabbed people and set fire to a train carriage. The man was arrested by police.