[Source]
A Japanese train company is preparing to deploy ‘blade-proof’ umbrellas in response to a knife attack that took place on one of its trains last year.
Launching the first of its kind in Japan, JR West announced Thursday that it will distribute 1,200 blade-proof umbrellas to its 600 trains in the greater Kansai area starting in November. Three people, including two passengers, were reportedly injured in a knife attack on the Kansai Airport Line in July 2023, prompting the company to create a shield that can be used to deter attackers. A 37-year-old man, identified as Kazuya Shimizu, was arrested for the attack.
The upcoming umbrella is made of a special material that is resistant to blades and is held like a shield that provides a critical distance between the holder and the potential attacker. Unlike the company’s current “close and heavy” protective shield, the umbrella is more compact, lighter and easier to store.
“They can be used in a carriage to some extent and are strong. In the event of an emergency, we want the crew to respond and evacuate the passengers safely,” said JR West President Kazuaki Hasegawa.
Trending on NextShark: Train company will use Japan’s first ‘blade-proof’ umbrellas against knife attacks
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