West Japan Railway Company, also known as JR West, has introduced blade-resistant umbrellas on trains to enhance passenger safety in Japan. This initiative follows a series of knife attacks on trains, including a July 2023 incident in the Kansai region that left three people injured.
The company plans to deploy 1,200 blade-resistant umbrellas across 600 trains in the Kansai region, with availability starting in November.
These newly developed umbrellas are 20 centimeters longer than standard ones and are made from a special fabric designed to resist blade penetration. They are lightweight and more convenient to use and store compared to traditional defense tools like “sasumata” prods. The umbrella-shields are intended to provide passengers with extra time to escape in dangerous situations.
JR West president Kazuaki Hasegawa, as quoted by The Mainichi, said, “They can be operated effectively inside a carriage and are strong. In an emergency, we want the crew to respond quickly and ensure passengers evacuate safely.”
JR West is the first train company in Japan to develop such a safety tool.
A JR West official, as quoted by The Mainichi, said, “The protective shields used previously were short-range and heavy. We have designed a shield that is easier for female employees to handle.”
In the July 2023 incident, a knifing attack on Kansai Airport Line resulted in injuries to three individuals, including two passengers.