East Japan rail company spraying antiviral coating material inside all 1,288 carriages

TOKOROZAWA, Saitama -- Seibu Railway Co. in eastern Japan has been taking preventative measures against the spread of the coronavirus by using antiviral, antibacterial coating material on handles, doors, and other surfaces inside all of its 1,288 carriages.

The work, which uses spray cans of a coating agent that neutralizes the infectiousness of viruses or bacteria, has been conducted since late August at six rail yards. It will be finished by the end of October, with stickers being attached to train cars where coating has been completed.

Pairs of cleaning workers sent by contractors were seen working on each car at the Minamiiriso rail car base in the city of Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo. One and a half spray cans are used per car on handrails, handles, and doors among other surfaces that have a high chance of being touched by passengers.

A chemical agent including the coating material will be used in disinfection measures in order to maintain its effectiveness.

(Japanese original by Takashi Seido, Tokorozawa Local Bureau)