With temperatures in Japan reaching 38.5C and authorities issuing heatstroke warnings, two companies have joined forces to create what they describe as a "human refrigerator."
The device, called Do Hiemon, is a personal cooling booth developed by a vending machine manufacturer and a metal toolbox producer. It is priced at 1.5 million yen (around £6,800).
Now that's what you call a cool idea! Japanese firms are selling 'fridges for humans' that chill you almost instantly - but they come at a hefty price https://t.co/95MrniW5Dk
— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) July 21, 2026
How it works
Users sit on a built-in chair inside the stainless-steel booth, which blasts 5C air towards the head, neck, shoulders and back to cool the body quickly.
The unit maintains an internal temperature of approximately 15C and automatically switches off after a maximum of 20 minutes.
Standing around 2.13 metres high and 1.19 metres deep, the booth costs just 16 yen per hour (about 10 pence) to operate and reportedly consumes less electricity than a conventional air-conditioning unit.
According to supplier Trusco, it is the first portable system capable of delivering full-body cooling and can reduce body temperature faster than traditional air-conditioning methods.
Intended uses
The wheeled units are designed primarily for:
- Construction sites
- Agricultural facilities
- Industrial workplaces
They could also be deployed in:
- Shopping centres
- Schools
- Festivals
- Sports venues
The manufacturer says users begin to feel noticeably cooler within five minutes, while spending 10 minutes inside the booth may help relieve symptoms of heat exhaustion.
Japan's extreme summer
Japan is currently experiencing a severe heatwave.
The country's meteorological agency reported temperatures of 38.5C in Toyota City and more than 36C in Tokyo, while warning that temperatures could exceed 40C.
This year, Japanese authorities introduced a new term, "kokushobi", to describe days when temperatures exceed 40C. The word roughly translates as "unbearably hot" or "relentlessly hot."
Japan already has separate terms for days above 25C, 30C and 35C.
The country recorded its hottest summer on record in 2025, with average temperatures 2.36C above normal. Temperatures exceeded 40C on nine days between June and August, while the city of Isesaki recorded a new national high of 41.8C.
According to Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency, seven people have died from heatstroke this year, while more than 4,500 people were hospitalised with heat-related illnesses between 6 and 12 July.
Authorities are urging residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor activity and to check on elderly relatives and neighbours during periods of extreme heat.
Source: The Telegraph
