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Following a wave of Violent knife attacks, Japan has unveiled an unconventional measure to enhance public safety on trains. The West Japan Railway Company (JR West) has recently unveiled blade-resistant umbrellas on trains.
Under this initiative, the company intends to deploy 1,200 stab-proof umbrellas across 600 trains in the Kansai region from November 2024, considering the knife attacks on trains in Japan including a July 2023 incident. It took place in the Kansai region and left three people wounded.
About the Stab-proof Umbrella
The West Japan Railway Company operates in the Western part of Honshu, Japan’s main island, and its headquarters is in Kita-ku, Osaka. According to the company, these newly developed umbrellas are 20 centimeters longer as compared to the standard ones. These are made using a special material and fabric to resist blades. The stab-proof umbrellas are designed more efficiently as compared to ‘Sasumata’ a traditional defense tool.
These shielded umbrellas are easy to use and store. These are intended to provide passengers safety and extra time to escape from danger.
Noting the design of this shielded Umbrella, A JR West Official said that previous protective shields were bulky and designed for close-range use. “We’ve developed a shield that’s lightweight and easier for female employees to handle”, he noted.
The Umbrella-like appearance of this shielded tool makes it more portable, lightweight, and convenient to use and store.
Kazuaki Hasegawa, the JR West President said, “The Umbrellas can be effectively used inside a train carriage and are durable. In an emergency, we want the crew to respond quickly and ensure passengers evacuate safely.”
Further, the JR West Official underlined the company’s commitment to improve safety for travelers. “We will continue to enhance passengers’ safety ahead of next year’s Osaka-Kansai Expo,” he added.
Knife Attacks in Japan
This is to be noted that violent crimes are uncommon in Japan. However, knife attacks have become frequent in some regions of the country recently. These incidents have prompted the train operators to enhance safety measures to protect passengers by increasing the installation of security cameras and regular safety drills.
In July 2023, there was a knife attack on a train in Osaka, Japan. A 37-year-old man was arrested for stabbing three people including a train conductor in his 20s and three passengers (aged 23 and 79). This incident has raised significant concerns about passengers’ safety in public transportation.
The suspect was apprehended immediately by the authorities at Rinku Town station after the attack.
Kanishka Malhotra is a seasoned journalist with a deep passion for reporting and uncovering the truth. With a specialization in research and investigative Journalism, she has covered wide range of topics related to social issues, travel, lifestyle, technology, Entertainment and much more. She believes to express and share her creativity to the world through words. With relentless pursuit of knowing and uncovering the truth, Kanishka continues to leave a mark in the world of journalism.
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