Travel

JR West Develops Special Umbrella to Protect Passengers from Knife Attacks

OSAKA, Oct 18 (News On Japan) - JR West Japan has announced the development of a special umbrella designed to protect passengers and crew from attackers wielding knives or other weapons, with plans to equip train cars with these umbrellas.

The "anti-knife umbrella" independently developed by JR West is intended to create distance between an assailant and passengers or crew in the event of an attack on board a train. This provides a critical time for passengers to evacuate safely. The umbrella’s handle is longer than a typical umbrella, and the fabric is made from a special material that is difficult to cut with a knife.

In July 2023, a train running through Izumisano City was the scene of a violent incident where three people, including a conductor, were injured by a man wielding a knife. JR West has since been looking for ways to better protect passengers in such confined spaces.

The compact "anti-knife umbrella" is easier to handle than traditional pole-like tools, and JR West plans to stock them on trains in the Kinki region in the near future.

Source: YOMIURI

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