THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
October 23, 2024 at 14:56 JST
The area outside the southeast exit of JR Shinjuku Station where a female idol group was accused of performing without permission (Shomei Nagatsuma)
In a rare crackdown on an artist’s live street performance, police referred a case to prosecutors on a female idol group’s event in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward in May, investigative sources said.
The Metropolitan Police Department sent the case that involves the group’s four members in their 20s and six others including the president of its agency on Oct. 22.
The group performed outside JR Shinjuku Station without obtaining police permission to use the street, which constitutes a violation of the Road Traffic Law.
The accused all admitted to the charge, the sources said.
The group is scheduled to make a debut from a major music label.
At the event, staff members previously set up musical instruments and audio equipment, such as speakers, at the site.
The staffers recorded the performance on video and also distributed fliers.
Police officers on patrol intervened, and the show was halted about 25 minutes after it began.
Even before the event, the group had repeatedly staged street performances that were shared on social media by fans.
The agency told The Asahi Shimbun, “We deeply reflect on the inconvenience caused to all parties.”
An unauthorized street performance is punishable by imprisonment of up to three months or a fine of up to 50,000 yen ($330).
Susumu Yamaguchi, an associate professor of human geography at Mejiro University, said permission for road use is granted if the activities do not hinder pedestrian traffic and serve the public interest, among other conditions.
He said police do not usually give permission for street performances.
However, it is extremely rare for police to take action against an unauthorized street performance.
Yasumasa Igarashi, a professor of urban sociology at Tsukuba University, said the group’s case was sent to prosecutors partly because of audio equipment that cannot be removed quickly.
He said such equipment not only blocks foot traffic, but also obstructs the passage of emergency vehicles.
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