Yomiuri: New T-shirts offer protection against knives
A uniform manufacturer in Chuo Ward, Osaka, has developed a T-shirt intended to provide protection against knives, following an increasing number of malicious crimes that have victimized children and late-night convenience store clerks. The Nihon Uni company used slightly thick fibers that are more than three times as strong as cotton for the T-shirt. However, the product does not look like typical protective clothing. The strength of the T-shirt made from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber is equal to that of aramid fiber used in body armor. But the T-shirt is machine-washable because it is lightweight. The T-shirt provides superior protection from slashing attacks, but its mesh fabric can be punctured by a sharp point. The short-sleeved version of the T-shirt costs 19,000-52,000 yen, while the long-sleeved variety ranges from 22,000-59,000 yen. The products will go on sale in June through distributors.
