Sharp pieces of protruding metal blamed for injuring passing cyclists and pedestrians have been found on guardrails in all 47 prefectures, central and prefectural government officials said Friday.

Following earlier reports by Saitama and Nagasaki prefectures, Aichi, Chiba and Tokushima prefectures reported Friday that residents had been injured by pieces of metal protruding from guardrails while cycling or walking along roads.

In Aichi Prefecture, a 17-year-old boy sustained a left leg injury from a metal protrusion in August 2003.