Before the winter holidays, the Metropolitan Police Department conducted a simultaneous drive around Kabukicho, commonly known as “To-yoko”, which is known as a place where middle and high school students gather.
About four years ago, junior and high school students began to gather around a large commercial building in the center of Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, commonly known as “To-yoko”, and there have been cases where have been involved in accidents and the police are stepping up their measures.
Before the winter holidays, around 100 people, including police officers, called young people gathering on the street to make sure there were no minors and that no problems had arisen.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, a total of 20 middle and high school students were guided in this simultaneous drive.
In principle, students who have been guided are sent home after contacting their parents, except when abuse at home is suspected, but there are cases where they return repeatedly.
For this reason, the Metropolitan Police Department is focusing on providing support after a “psychology staff” with specialist knowledge in psychology conducts an interview and, if necessary, provides guidance such as liaison to a specialist advice desk.
