With a creative twist, the American practice of ringing doorbells on Halloween to ask for candy has become a crime prevention tool in some Japanese communities, where it helps to promote exchanges between kids, the elderly and others in the neighborhood.
In Suginami Ward, Tokyo, children dressed as witches, fairies, elves and other Halloween characters recently visited a daytime welfare facility for the elderly for a round of trick-or-treating.
"This is my first time ever to experience Halloween," said 93-year-old Yasuko Muramatsu as she handed out sweets to the children. "But I feel so blessed to be able to meet them. They are like my great-grandchildren."