The move follows several violent incidents on Japanese trains, including a July 2023 attack that wounded three people on the company's airport service.
JR West plans to place two specialized umbrellas on about 600 trains by March 2025, including express services linking Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe.
The umbrellas, developed by a security equipment manufacturer, are 1 meter long and weigh 700 grams. They feature fabric designed to resist blade attacks, allowing crew members to protect passengers while maintaining distance from attackers.
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