Cool Japan: Human fridge chills workers in extreme heat

Higashiosaka, Japan - In the sweltering summer heat of Japan, warehouse worker Isao Tabuchi turned to a new invention for relief: a human-sized refrigerator called "Do Hiemon Box." The phonebooth-sized machine, launched this year, provides a refreshing blast of cold air after cycling to work. "I was really able to recover thanks to that. Once you use it, it's very, very cool," Tabuchi told AFP.

Industrial equipment distributor Trusco Nakayama in Tokyo reported selling over 300 units since April, priced at ¥1.5 million (RM38,075). The device is intended for construction sites, factories, warehouses, and may even find its way to golf courses and baseball stadiums.

Scientists warn that climate change is leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves globally. In 2025, Japan experienced its hottest summer on record. The weather office now issues a new term, "kokushobi" or "cruelly hot day," when temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius. Tokyo recorded almost 120 heat-related deaths in the month of August, with nearly 63,000 people needing emergency care nationwide.

Japanese companies have faced stricter regulations to protect employees working in heat. Building sites must provide cooling measures such as fans, air-conditioned break rooms, and shaded areas. This year, bureaucrats in Tokyo were even allowed to wear shorts to work.

The Do Hiemon Box operates from a regular power socket and can be moved around. It automatically turns off after 20 minutes to prevent overuse. Yutaka Kono from Konoe, a wholesaler of screws and surveying equipment, where Tabuchi works, emphasizes the importance of investing in heat-countermeasures. Traditional air conditioners and spot coolers offer some relief, but Kono's firm has many open areas for trucks and heavy equipment.

He believes the human fridge is an appealing solution, cooling the body instantly to a safe temperature.

Worker Taichi Konishi, 24, uses the Do Hiemon Box about three times a day after completing physically demanding tasks. After a brief 2-minute stint inside the box, he remarks that his sweat has dried up, and the cooling effect is immediately noticeable.