Photo/Illutration Yellow warning signs warning “diving is dangerous” are posted every few meters on the railing of the Ebisubashi bridge in Osaka’s Chuo Ward on Sept. 13. (Akina Nishi)

OSAKA--About 1,300 prefectural police officers are ready to keep order in the downtown area as the Hanshin Tigers could clinch the Central League title on Sept. 14 as they face their rival Yomiuri Giants.

Police are warning the public not to make the celebratory leap into the Dotonbori river, which runs through the city’s bustling Minami entertainment district.

In the past, after the Tigers won championships, boisterous fans made the jump while objects from nearby restaurants were vandalized. 

Since a Tigers’ victory would mark their first pennant in 18 years, the police are on high alert anticipating a frenzy of excitement.

On Sept. 13, the day after Tigers reduced their magic number to three, yellow warning signs that read “diving is dangerous” were posted every few meters around the Ebisubashi bridge spanning the Dotonbori river, an area famed for its iconic Glico running man sign.

These warnings written in four languages, Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean, were made by the Osaka prefectural Minami Police Station and city’s construction bureau.

The prefectural police and other authorities are wary of the dangerous dive into the Dotonbori river.

When the Tigers won the Central League title in 2003, an estimated 5,300 people jumped into the river, leading to a fatal incident.

In the celebration after the team clinched the 2005 pennant, 55 people took the plunge although barriers had been erected around the Ebisubashi bridge.

If fans and spectators flood the Dotonbori area, officials are worried about the risk of a deadly stampede.

In the Itaewon district of Seoul last October, more than 150 people, including Japanese, died when a sloped, narrow alley was flooded with partygoers in Halloween costumes.

Police began considering security plans after the Golden Week holidays, given the Tigers’ strong play since the spring and huge lead in the standings.

Police decided to deploy about 1,300 officers around the Minami entertainment district and JR Osaka Station when the team’s magic number dropped to two or below.

Particularly around the Ebisubashi bridge, police equipped with megaphones will be stationed at five locations for crowd control.

Depending on how packed the area is, police could enforce one-direction movement only using ropes and actively guide people to keep moving and not to linger.

They could also temporarily close off the slopes leading to the riverbanks on both sides of the Ebisubashi bridge, as well as the promenades along the river.

In addition, they plan to set up curtains on the east side of the Dotonboribashi bridge, which is located to the west of the Ebisubashi bridge, to block the view toward the bridge and prevent spectators from encouraging dives or lingering in the area.

Eateries around the Dotonbori river are also preparing for chaos.

When the Tigers won the Central League championship in 1985, a statue of Colonel Sanders from a Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan Ltd. outlet was thrown into the murky river waters.

The moving crab sign from Kanidoraku’s main restaurant also had its legs broken. During the 2003 celebration, its eyes were removed.

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Fans celebrate the Hanshin Tigers winning the 1985 Central League pennant at the Ebisubashi bridge in Osaka’s Chuo Ward. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

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