Every Sunday, Akibahara is shut off to cars and you can see cute women in cosplaying in meido costumes or even in schoolgirl swimsuits. Of course, these “shows” usually attract alot of photo-taking crowd.

But the police are rather unhappy about this and now they are going after these meidos and driving them off the streets.

“We’re asking them to stop performing in accordance with the Road Traffic Law,” said the spokesperson of the Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Department.

Journalist Akihiro Otani however thinks that these meidos are not posing any threat to public safety by posing on the closed-off roads.

‘Pedestrians’ Heavens’ are a ‘Heaven’ precisely because they create space for people to put on performances. Without those shows, they’re nothing more than mere sidewalks”

“By cracking down on the maids, it’s proof the pen pushers want to show that they control the streets. If this was happening in the West, people would be hurling buckets of paint over the cops. I’ve got to admit it irks me a bit that the mob from Akihabara just sit back and take it all the time.”

Analyst Morinaga says authorities need to come to some sort of compromise.

“I’m the managing director of the Nippon Maid Association, so perhaps I should create an official maid qualification with those who pass the test also given permission to put on performances on Akihabara’s streets.”

Source: Mainichi JP

I think the police just have nothing better to do. Go fight crime and catch the real bads guys, like those “otaku hunters“, instead of bullying innocent meidos. RAWR

I’d think its absurd to require a license just so that you can wear your favorite costume and prance around the streets of Akihabara. Maybe stormtrooper DannyChoo would need one in the future too. =P