Cool Japan: Human Fridge Chills Workers in Extreme Heat
A phone booth-sized refrigerator for humans has been launched in Japan and has proved popular in a country that is getting warmer. The 'Do Hiemon Box' can provide one line of defence against the heat and has been sold to over 300 customers since April.
Intelligence analysis by Llama
A human-sized refrigerator has been launched in Japan to help workers cope with the extreme heat. The 'Do Hiemon Box' has been sold to over 300 customers since April and is a popular solution for companies looking to keep their employees cool.
Imagine having a special box that you can sit in to cool down when it's really hot outside. That's what the 'Do Hiemon Box' is - a phone booth-sized refrigerator for humans that can help people stay cool in the heat. It's like a walk-in freezer, but for one person at a time.
Analysis
Human Fridge: A Solution to Japan's Extreme Heat Problem
The 'Do Hiemon Box' is a phone booth-sized refrigerator for humans that has been launched in Japan. The device operates from a regular power socket, can be wheeled around, and doesn't use much power. It automatically shuts off after 20 minutes to prevent overuse. The box has been sold to over 300 customers since April, including construction sites, factories, and warehouses. The company behind the device, Trusco Nakayama, plans to expand its sales to golf courses and baseball stadiums in the future.
The Impact of Rising Temperatures on Businesses in Japan
Human-induced climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events around the world. In 2025, Japan saw its hottest summer on record. This year, the weather office began using a new word -- kokushobi or 'cruelly hot day' -- when temperatures hit 40C. Tokyo alone recorded almost 120 heat-related deaths in the month to mid-August, while close to 63,000 people nationwide this summer needed emergency care. Since last year, Japanese businesses have faced tougher legal requirements to help employees toiling in the heat. Building sites, for example, must provide workers with suitable clothing such as jackets with built-in fans, as well as air-conditioned break rooms and canopies to ensure shade.
Investing in Heat-Countering Measures
Investing in heat-countering measures has become essential to maintain the existing workforce and attract new recruits. A survey in July by Teikoku Databank found that 50% of companies said intense heat had disrupted their operations. Almost 88% said they had upgraded efforts to help workers cope with the heat. The Do Hiemon Box can provide one line of defence against the heat. It operates from a regular power socket, can be wheeled around, and doesn't use much power. To prevent overuse, it automatically shuts off after 20 minutes.
Key points
- The 'Do Hiemon Box' is a phone booth-sized refrigerator for humans that has been launched in Japan.
- The device operates from a regular power socket, can be wheeled around, and doesn't use much power.
- It automatically shuts off after 20 minutes to prevent overuse.
- The box has been sold to over 300 customers since April, including construction sites, factories, and warehouses.
- The company behind the device, Trusco Nakayama, plans to expand its sales to golf courses and baseball stadiums in the future.
The Do Hiemon Box could be a game-changer for companies looking to keep their employees cool in the heat. If it continues to be popular, it could lead to more innovative solutions for heat-countering measures in Japan.
The Do Hiemon Box may not be a long-term solution to Japan's extreme heat problem. If the heat continues to rise, it may not be enough to keep people cool, and companies may need to look for more effective solutions.