"Tragic Incidents from Shopping Center Falls Prompt Calls for Enhanced Safety Measures in Tokyo"

A young man tragically lost his life after falling from the 10th-floor terrace of the Shibuya Parco shopping center in Tokyo, a case that has raised alarms about the dangers posed by shopping facility rooftops. This incident not only claimed the man’s life but also resulted in injuries to a pedestrian below, highlighting the need for preventive measures. Security footage indicates that the man crossed a fence alone, resulting in the unfortunate accident.

This is not an isolated event; similar falls have caused injuries or fatalities in the past at various shopping centers around the city. In 2006, a man fell from the 13th floor of Takashimaya Times Square, injuring three people below. Another incident in 2007 involved a woman jumping from the roof of Ikebukuro Parco, which killed both her and a passerby. More recently, a 2020 incident saw a high school student jump from the Hep Five shopping center, leading to the deaths of both the student and a nearby university student.

Tomohito Tanaka, an associate professor at Sendai University and safety expert, emphasizes the need for enhanced safety measures at such facilities, particularly on rooftops frequented by large crowds. He suggests that installing walls or fences over three meters tall would be crucial in preventing future falls. Additionally, he recommends removing objects that could be used to climb over barriers and increasing security patrols, along with utilizing AI technology to monitor behavior and detect potential risks.