Cool Japan: Human fridge chills workers in extreme heat

Japanese warehouse worker Isao Tabuchi is embracing a new invention - a human fridge - to combat the country's extreme summer heat. The phone booth-sized machine, called the Do Hiemon Box, blows chilled air to provide instant relief from unbearable temperatures. Trusco Nakayama, a Tokyo-based industrial equipment distributor, has sold over 300 units of the Do Hiemon Box since April, with customers ranging from construction sites to factories and warehouses.

The company plans to expand the product's reach to golf courses in the future. The Do Hiemon Box operates from a regular power socket, can be wheeled around, and shuts off after 20 minutes to prevent overuse. Despite initial skepticism, many businesses have recognized the value of investing in heat-countering measures to maintain their workforce and attract new employees.

In Japan, where the summer of 2025 broke records with temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F), authorities have started using the term "cruelly hot day" to emphasize the severity of extreme heat events.