OSAKA, Japan >> An umbrella that muffles the sound of raindrops is gaining popularity among blind people and those who are highly sensitive to noise.

Maruyasu Yougasa, a manufacturer in Osaka that produces handmade umbrellas, launched the Silent Umbrella in 2022. According to the company, the umbrella reduces the sound of raindrops hitting it by 30% to 35% compared to ordinary umbrellas.

The concept was inspired by a comment from a blind person nearly 20 years ago who said, “I feel anxious walking around as the noise of rain hitting the umbrella drowns out the sounds of my surroundings.”

Through the years, the company had been too busy to develop a new umbrella. But during the pandemic when orders slumped, it focused on creating the product. The Silent Umbrella uses a double-layer struc

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