Akihabara To Suspend “Pedestrian Paradise”?
Akihabara on the weekends has always closed off some major roads to vehicle traffic on Sundays to allow a “pedestrian paradise”, allowing shoppers and cosplayers to roam about freely.
But now, the authorities has decided to suspend this Sunday road closing in view of the recent stabbing rampage incident.
While no official information has been release as to when the suspension will end, sources have said it will continue until at least the end of July.
Here’s a video of Fuji TV reporting on the news:
Source: Japan Probe
It seems like a weird decision but I guess the government are just finding ways to try and cope with the tense situation for the moment.
Pedestrians interviewed were generally surprised and disappointed by the decision, and I have to say that I am too. There’s simply no logical reason why authorities should close down the “pedestrian paradise.” This does nothing to stop a copy cat criminal from repeating the crime- anyone can rent a truck and drive into pedestrians by jumping a curb or waiting for crowds to walk across a crosswalk, and a determined madman could attack people on a sidewalk just as easily as in a vehicle street.
AkibaBlog has also reported today that there are now many police officers roaming the streets of Akihabara.
So what do you think of these new measures implemented? I’m sure it wouldn’t help in anyway to prevent a similar incident.
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That’s sad news. When I was in Japan I loved walking around on Sundays at Akihabara.
>>There’s simply no logical reason why authorities should close down the “pedestrian paradise.”
I agree it’s illogical but perhaps they do it out of respect for the victims. If it helps people get over the incident then it’s ok. As long as they reopen the pedestrian paradise in the future. =)
i think that they are doing that so there can be a cool off period after that tragic event
OMG now we wont get to see hot Haruhi chicks!! WTF?!?!?!
[...] now, in response to the recent stabbings, Akiba has reportedly suspended their practice of closing certain roads to cars on Sundays, making the area more accessible and [...]
I really hope they will lift the suspension soon. It’d really suck if I can’t experience Akihabara on a Sunday when I go to Japan in July….
[...] to prosecute that evil man. He had gotta pay for all those innocent folks he murdered and also the suspension of Akihabara as “Pedestrian Paradise”. Promote This [...]