West Japan Railway Company (JR West) has introduced blade-resistant umbrellas on its trains to improve passenger safety, following a string of knife attacks, including a July 2023 incident in the Kansai region where three people were injured.
JR West plans to equip 600 trains in the Kansai region with 1,200 of these umbrellas, starting in November. These umbrellas, 20 centimeters longer than typical ones, are crafted from a special fabric that can resist blade penetration. Lighter and more convenient than traditional tools like “sasumata” prods, they offer passengers crucial time to escape during emergencies.
JR West president Kazuaki Hasegawa explained, “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.” This makes JR West the first train operator in Japan to introduce such a safety measure.
An official from JR West also noted, “The protective shields used previously were short-range and heavy. We have designed a shield that is easier for female employees to handle.”
The decision follows a knife attack on the Kansai Airport Line in July 2023, which left two passengers and another individual injured.
