Car-floating sheets selling well to cope with increasing flood risk in Japan
If you can’t beat them, float on them. As in many corners of the globe, Japan has been putting up with an increasing number of previously rare weather-related natural disasters. One of the more surprising was the widespread flooding around Chiba after torrential rains fell from a line of squall clouds that inexplicably stopped moving […]
Floods in Japan have become more frequent, prompting innovative solutions to protect cars from water damage. One such product is the SAM-CS ("Sam Car Sheet"), a set of plastic sheets designed to allow a vehicle to float when submerged in water. Developed in 2024 by Onoda Sangyo, the product saw a surge in demand following flooding in Chiba, where over 10,000 vehicles were damaged.
The SAM-CS system takes roughly 10 minutes to set up, involving parking the car on a bottom sheet secured by suction cups, then covering it with a top sheet to prevent water ingress. An optional set of straps keeps the car in place. At 88,000 yen ($560) for mid-sized cars, the investment is seen as a prudent choice compared to potential repair or loss costs.
Despite its usefulness, the product has faced criticism for its perceived inconvenience and potential safety issues, such as floating away or damaging other properties. Some suggested alternative methods, like air compression or hydrogen-filled tires, but these fail to address the core problem of water ingress. Critics also raised concerns about ownership transfer and the legality of the product.
While many might prioritize entertainment over protection, the flood situation underscores the necessity of such preventative measures.
Written by urgent.news from SoraNews24's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
