Railway firm to deploy blade-resistant umbrellas against knife attacks

These blade resistant umbrellas offer the advantages of blocking the perpetrator's view as well as eliminating direct eye contact with the train crew, which are lacking in the transparent shields. Furthermore it can even be seen by a potential perp without raising much alarm.

Because perpetrator can't hold that umbrella with the other hand?

Also where's the ordinary sasumata that usually being endorsed to stop criminal?

Kingsman Movie. Netflix.

The size does not fit at all the width between seats each side of central alley of train. The police officer would be blocked himself.

If no police in the world uses this umbrella shape for that purpose, there is a reason.

Not everyone is a kingsman !

sakurasukiToday  05:19 pm JST

Because perpetrator can't hold that umbrella with the other hand?

Also where's the ordinary sasumata that usually being endorsed to stop criminal?

No the perp can not "grab" the umbrella and continue with stabbing with the other hand. The umbrella, if grabbed (not sure how other than the pointy tip) will be moving at the same time and sparred.

The sasumata is mostly effective when used by police officers, security guards and others who have been trained in their use to subdue a perp. Train crews are not so trained.

The umbrella blocks the perps view allowing the other passengers to exit the car.

Correction: These protective umbrellas have no tip to grab.

I think this can be a highly effective measure. First - it's clear why it has no tip - so that it can't be grabbed and pulled. Then, I bet the ribs (skeleton) and handle are made extremely solidly, so it can't easily be collapsed. It is quite difficult to attack with a knife somebody behind an umbrella.

You'd be surprised how effective J-Police can be at self defense and protecting lives of both the perpetrators and the victims. Many are black-belts in the very violent "police-style" variants of kendo, judo or boujutsu (stick fighting), where unconventional attacks (using limbs, etc) are permitted, to offer a more realistic training opportunities.

Do they plan to train the train ;) operators in self defense using this umbrella?

Moderator: Thanks for your contribution. Your comment has been featured in the latest episode of the Japan This Week podcast. Visit the Japan Today top page to listen.

"They weigh some 700 grams, lighter than the plastic shields, so they can be handled easily, taking into account an increasing number of female crew, according to JR West."

Ummm... I've seen the male crew. The females that I've seen look just as tough, if not tougher.

Interesting and not an entirely bad idea. But I imagine it being difficult to fend off the attacker for a prolonged time and I don't see how you could get an upper hand for a counter attack on the assailant.

Moderator: Thanks for your contribution. Your comment has been featured in the latest episode of the Japan This Week podcast. Visit the Japan Today top page to listen.

They're taking advice from films now? It looks very suave and cool on Kingsman Secret Service but an open umbrella in a confined space like a train isn't very sensible at all. Why not just equip the staff with taser guns? They can keep their distance but also effectively and efficiently neutralise the attacker.

Wrong,

Need a Taser.

Train crews are responsible for the safety of the passengers. Stall the perp and get them off the train.

They are not responsible for subduing an armed perpetrator. Tasers....lol.

If in America this would be a bulletproof umbrella.

Among other notable incidents on trains are knife attacks in 2021 injuring several people in Tokyo

 many crew said they are afraid to use them as they would need to approach an attacker. 

Self protection is a must RIP William Bishop

"they can be handled easily, taking into account an increasing number of female crew, according to JR West."

that's good!

Looks like he's holding a box cutter, knowing Japan, may not be a good idea to have one on oneself.

Sounds like an export hit with sales potential, but more for other continents and countries, where those and similar blade-resistant tools surely nowadays could very well be needed in numbers.

Ill be incredibly surprised if one of these things is even once actually deployed and used as planned by random passengers.

Designed by someone who has never been in a violent situation. What is it called? "The shield of invincibility"?

Or is this an April fool joke six months early. Any physically active person would just brush the brolly out of the way and stab or slash at will.

Where can you buy one?

The umbrellas are made of a special, blade-resilient fabric

A "blade-resiliant fabric"? I doubt such a thing exists. I know there are stabbing-proof vest, but they are thing and heavy. Never heard of a fabric with the same qualities. If it existed, it would be a bestseller in many current West European cities for sure.

As someone who grew up knife-fighting, taking off your jacket or shirt can give the same time of defense. The good thing about knife-wielders is they have to thrust and the key to deflect their aim and force.

Would it be better to arm the staff with a taser or cs gas?

This is a prime example of doing something, just for the sake of being seen to do something.

They are 'issuing' two special umbrellas per train. Its highly unlikely they will ever be used for anything apart for staying in a secure box/PR function, especially when the trains are up to 16 car long.

Weilding a full sized umbrellla in the confines of a train as a defensive mechanism seem like a poor defensive strategy. Especially if you cant see the assailant.

A collapsible riot shield would seem like a far better fit for this purpose. They are already commercially available, are tied and tested, and would probably work a lot better than an umbrella.

Moderator: Thanks for your contribution. Your comment has been featured in the latest episode of the Japan This Week podcast. Visit the Japan Today top page to listen.

This is a prime example of doing something, just for the sake of being seen to do something.

Bingo!

whatever happened to a good old can of pepper spray.. pepper spray resistant umbrellas?

As someone who grew up knife-fighting, taking off your jacket or shirt can give the same time of defense. The good thing about knife-wielders is they have to thrust and the key to deflect their aim and force.

Same here. I grew up knife-fighting every day after school, and got pretty good at it too.

Joined a knife-fighting club (3 years and up) that had tournaments every other weekend and summer vacation.

But I disagree with your premise concerning good things about knife-wielders.

Its not the thrusting. Its the slashing....

Looks more like the fabric came up and then the application was decided. Need to work backwards on this. Start with knife attack and then brainstorm the measures.