In order to prevent crime over the New Year's holiday season, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department conducted simultaneous vigilance in major entertainment districts across Tokyo on the 19th, with Superintendent General Sakoda Yuji patrolling Kabukicho.
The Superintendent General arrived in Kabukicho around 5pm. He first instructed police officers on duty at police boxes to be vigilant against street crime.
"I appreciate your hard work at Kabukicho Police Box, which is home to Japan's largest entertainment district. When I was just starting out, I also worked here at Kabukicho Police Box as part of my on-the-job training. I'm sure you'll be busy handling various matters at night with no time to catch your breath, but I ask that you work closely together under Detective Ito while taking great care to prevent injuries and other accidents," he said, encouraging the officers.
Afterwards, the group set out on a patrol of Kabukicho with about 200 people, including police officers and members of the police council, shopping districts, and crime prevention associations, as well as local crime prevention volunteers. Guided by Shinjuku Police Station Chief Masakazu Sato, the group passed in front of Cinecity Plaza and inspected the situation around Theater Street Ichibangai, Godzilla Road, and the Shinjuku Toho Building.

Superintendent-General of the Metropolitan Police, Yuji Sakoda (Comment)

While we are currently on special alert for the New Year holidays, we issued a "general alert" today and patrolled the Kabukicho district of Shinjuku, one of Japan's most bustling entertainment districts, together with local crime prevention volunteer groups and others.
There are concerns that the New Year holidays will bring an increase in street crime, a deterioration in entertainment districts, and the occurrence of serious traffic accidents.
The Metropolitan Police Department will continue to make efforts to prevent and arrest various crimes, as well as crack down on malicious soliciting, rip-offs, and scouting, and promote environmental cleanup measures in entertainment districts such as Kabukicho, as well as measures to prevent serious traffic accidents.We will continue to do our utmost to ensure public safety in the capital, Tokyo, so that all Tokyo residents can welcome a bright and peaceful New Year.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department will mobilize a total of approximately 200,000 police officers from December 15, 2025 to January 4, 2026, and will be conducting special year-end and New Year's vigilance throughout Tokyo.