{
  "id": 3605089,
  "title": "Cool Japan: Human fridge chills workers in heat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/cool-japan-human-fridge-chills-workers-in-heat",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-26T21:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Qatar Tribune Business",
    "slug": "qatar-tribune-business",
    "url": "https://www.qatar-tribune.com/article/250664/business/cool-japan-human-fridge-chills-workers-in-heat"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Japan's sweltering summer, warehouse employee Isao Tabuchi sought relief from his company's latest purchase: a refrigerator designed for humans. This phonebooth-sized unit, known as the \"Do Hiemon Box,\" uses jets of chilled air to provide a refreshing environment. Tabuchi, who tested the machine, found it highly effective in helping him recover from the heat.\n\nThe \"Do Hiemon Box,\" priced at 1.5 million yen ($9,400) and manufactured by Tokyo-based industrial equipment distributor Trusco Nakayama, has seen significant demand since its April launch. The company has sold over 300 units, with customers ranging from construction sites and factories to warehouses. Trusco Nakayama's sales agent, China Yamamoto, expects the product's popularity to extend to golf courses and baseball stadiums in the future.\n\nDespite initial skepticism about the product's high cost and size, Yamamoto explained that the machine's effectiveness in providing immediate relief from extreme heat made it a worthwhile investment. Scientists attribute the increase in extreme heat events to human-induced climate change, with Japan experiencing its hottest summer on record in 2025.\n\nIn response to the growing heat-related health risks, the Japanese government has implemented stricter regulations for businesses. Companies are now required to provide suitable clothing, air-conditioned break rooms, and shaded areas for employees working in hot conditions. The city of Tokyo even permits bureaucrats to wear shorts to work, a significant departure from traditional business attire.\n\nAccording to a recent survey by Teikoku Databank, 50 percent of companies reported that intense heat disrupted their operations in the past year, while 88 percent said they had increased efforts to support workers coping with the heat. The \"Do Hiemon Box\" offers one solution to this problem, operating on a regular power outlet and automatically shutting off after 20 minutes to prevent overuse. As businesses continue to grapple with the impact of rising temperatures, heat-mitigation measures like this human fridge have become essential for maintaining a healthy and productive workforce.",
  "summary": "AgenciesFeeling dizzy and unwell after cycling to work in Japan’s punishing summer heat, warehouse worker Isao Tabuchi headed for his company’s newest acquisition: a refrigerator f...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}