TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police this week conducted a crime-prevention patrol in the Kabukicho red-light district amid anticipated activity in such areas as the year comes to an end, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Dec. 19).
On Friday night, Yuji Sakoda, the superintendent-general of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, visited a police box in Kabukicho. He said to attending officers, “I believe there will be various issues to be dealt with throughout the night. Please work together to carry out your duties while paying close attention to preventing injury accidents.”
Sakoda then toured an area lined with restaurants and other establishments with Shinjuku Police Station chief Masakazu Sato and 150 other officicals.
After the tour, Sakoda commented, “We will do our utmost to maintain public safety in the capital, Tokyo, so that all Tokyo residents can welcome the New Year in peace and with peace and brightness.”
Tokyo Metropolitan Police has established a special security headquarters headed by the Superintendent-general. From December 15 to January 4, officers will be mobilized to prevent crimes, traffic accidents and tokushu sagi (specialized fraud) in entertainment districts.
In years past, there have been an increase in reports of malicious soliciting and scouting toward the end of the year.
One common complaint is persons conducting street solicitation for businesses that carry out the practice known as bottakuri, or bill padding.
