Hokkaido-Born Domestic Ventilation System "AT Barrier" Wins Grand Award at Japan Resilience Award 2026 for its Contribution to National Resilience

Protect Arts Co., Ltd. (Yabushita Group, Headquarters: Sapporo, Hokkaido, Representative Director: Masaki Oguma) has developed the domestic ventilation system AT Barrier, which has been recognized as a technology contributing to national resilience and received the Grand Award at the "Japan Resilience Award 2026."

In March 2026, the government cabinet approved a basic policy for securing evacuation facilities, also known as underground shelters, in anticipation of emergencies such as armed attacks and large-scale disasters. As the development of evacuation facilities, including the utilization of existing private underground facilities such as underground shopping malls, stations, and parking lots, progresses, the crucial issue now is not only securing "places to evacuate" but also establishing "safe breathing air environments at evacuation sites."

Scene from the Japan Resilience Award 2026 ceremony

- The next challenge in disaster prevention is "safety after evacuation."

The Japan Resilience Award recognizes outstanding initiatives contributing to disaster prevention, mitigation, and national resilience. Protect Arts' domestic ventilation system "AT Barrier" was highly evaluated for its technology that protects the air environment in spaces where people evacuate during disasters and emergencies, leading to its Grand Award win. In March 2026, the government cabinet approved a basic policy for securing "emergency shelters," etc., in anticipation of emergencies. This is expected to broaden the movement to utilize existing private underground facilities such as underground shopping malls, stations, and parking lots as evacuation facilities.

AT Barrier is a domestic ventilation system aiming to reduce complex air environment risks such as smoke, dust, toxic gases, odors, and infection risks in evacuation spaces during disasters and emergencies. With this award, further expansion of its use is anticipated in emergency shelters, evacuation centers, as well as medical/welfare facilities and local government facilities. Furthermore, this summer, the world's first carbon monoxide (CO) removal function is scheduled to be realized, drawing attention to its future social implementation as a technology that protects "the air at evacuation sites."

Comment from Masaki Oguma, Representative Director of Protect Arts Co., Ltd.

"I am honored to have received the Grand Award at the Japan Resilience Award. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported us. In addition to NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) countermeasures, AT Barrier also excels in deodorization performance, and we are receiving concrete inquiries from disaster prevention, defense, hospitals, and evacuation centers. Currently, exports to Poland and America are in the final stages. Moving forward, we will further enhance the carbon monoxide removal function and implement 'air defense' into society."

Features of the "AT Barrier" Series

1. Ventilation and Air Protection System for Disasters and Emergencies
Ensures a safe air environment in closed or semi-closed spaces such as evacuation centers, shelters, and homes.

2. High Air Purification Performance with Multi-Layer Filters
Reduces complex air pollution risks anticipated during disasters, such as radioactive substances, PM2.5, dust, smoke, toxic gases, odors, viruses, and bacteria.

3. Reduction of Infection Risk
By introducing clean outside air and managing indoor air even in confined and crowded environments, the spread of infections can be suppressed.

4. Practicality for Emergencies
Quiet design allows for long-term use. Portable, making it suitable for any installation location, including evacuation centers, temporary spaces, and homes.

5. Lineup According to Application
From high-performance models for large-scale and public use to lightweight and compact models for homes and small spaces.

6. Future Expandability
Functional expansion and research and development are underway to address new risks during disasters, such as carbon monoxide (CO) removal.

Japan's first underground shelter ventilation system "AT Barrier 150," and the lightweight model "AT Barrier Lite" for homes and small spaces.

Available for media interviews and photography

- Live demonstration (smoke-filled environment → air purification demonstration)

- Exhibition photography of AT Barrier series actual units and explosion-proof valves

- Movable photography of control panel and portable unit

- Interviews with development staff and Representative Director Oguma

- Sharing of joint development comments by Associate Professor Asakura of Nagoya University (available with prior arrangement)

- Explanation of the necessity of air environment measures in emergency shelters, evacuation centers, and medical welfare facilities

* Please contact us to arrange interview schedules and attendance dates.

Other articles related to the "AT Barrier Series"

Government to secure "emergency shelters" for armed attacks: Basic policy draft to be approved within the month

Blind spot in "expansion and maintenance of emergency shelters": The next question is "the air at evacuation sites." Strengthening measures for Hokkaido-born domestic ventilation technology "AT Barrier" series

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000009.000148115.html

Sapporo's Protect Arts to exhibit at "HVAC&R JAPAN 2026"

Japan's first shelter ventilation device "AT Barrier" attracts high interest

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000