Riot at Tokyo Station of 100th anniversary

“	Since there is a possibility of an accident today, we canceled it a meeting between JR and police.	„
	~ Station attendant

Riot at Tokyo Station of 100th anniversary was riot that occurred in Tokyo on November 20, 2014.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of Tokyo Station, JR East Japan released "Tokyo Station 100th Anniversary Suica Card". The station was crowded by "Tenbaichu" trying to resell Suica at a high price, "Tetsuyagumi" trying to get a Suica Car soon by staying around Tokyo Station without permission, and much rail fans. However, some rail fans and Tenbaichus, Tetsuyagumis could not accept the abrupt suspension and became mobs and rioted to resume sales.

Before Riot

Commemorate the 100th anniversary of Tokyo Station, JR East Japan has decided to sell a limited number of 15,000 "Tokyo Station 100th Anniversary Suica" at the Marunouchi South Exit on December 20th, the day of the 100th anniversary. At the time of the schedule, the number of purchaser was estimated to be 5,000, and we calculated that we could sell out on the same day with a 3 times purchase limit. In addition, 10 employees were assigned to the , and 30 employees were planned to be moved according to the situation.

The pamphlet announced that all-night were prohibited. In the first place, "Tokyo Station 100th Anniversary Suica Card" was Suica Card being written Marunouchi station building by a conductor who studied painting at an art high school. For 2,000 yen per sheet, it became a hot topic on the Internet after the sale announcement. Only the design is different from the regular Suica, and it is functionally the same as a regular Suica and was considered collection.

However, since Tokyo Station was built as a terminal station, it is natural but very easy to access, and if big event was held, a lot of people will gather and it is mostly difficult.

After all, many rail fans gathered for limited sale of Suica card, and many "tetsuyagumi (all-nighters)" gathered for purchase from the day before, and even though the JR East Japan prohibited all-night, however the day was crowded by least 9,000 people from the morning, and the originally planned sale from 8:00 am was significantly shortened and started at 7:14 am.

Eventually, 100 employees were mobilized, but if the station was crowded any more, it will not be possible to continue operations as a station, so at 9:40 am, JR East Japan canceled sale of Suica card.

At this time, the Metropolitan Police Department dispatched police to Marunouchi Station.

Riot starting

At the time of canceling sales, 8,090 Suica cards had already been sold, and it is said that the majority of purchasers bought multiple Suica cards. Suica card have been resold at high prices at Many web auction sites, namely and when the sale was canceled, the majority of people could not get the Suica card.

Some purchasers who came after "Tetsuyagumi" became mobs due to the sudden canceling of sales, information confusion.

Riot began when purchasers who couldn't buy because of the cancellation blamed the station staff, and many rushed to the canceled booth. In addition, some mobs have begun to destroy models and exhibits at Tokyo Station.

Station staffs explained why they stopped, but the lasted for 2 hours.

After riot

2 days after the outbreak of the riot, JR East Japan announced that it will sell Suica for 2,000 yen to all applicants up or mail with an application period of about 2 weeks from around January 2015.