Record heat is no longer just a seasonal phenomenon; it has become one of the world’s most pressing challenges for public health and workforce productivity. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have repeatedly warned that extreme heatwaves have become more frequent, longer-lasting, and more dangerous due to climate change, claiming thousands of lives every year.
Against this backdrop, Japan has introduced an innovative approach to preventing heat-related illness. Refrigeration equipment manufacturer SDRS, in collaboration with Trusco Nakayama, has developed a human cooling booth called Do Hiemon Box. Although it resembles a large refrigerator, its purpose is entirely different: it is designed to rapidly cool the human body.
The temperature inside the booth is maintained at approximately 15°C (59°F). Once a user enters, a powerful stream of cold air at around 5°C (41°F) is directed toward the head, neck, shoulders, and back, areas that play a key role in reducing the body’s core temperature.
According to the manufacturers, users begin to feel a noticeable reduction in heat stress after about five minutes, while spending 10 minutes inside the booth can significantly lower the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
The system offers three adjustable cooling levels and automatically shuts off after 20 minutes to prevent excessive cooling.
One of the Do Hiemon Box’s key advantages is its low energy consumption. The company says the unit uses roughly half the electricity of a conventional air conditioner. It also requires no plumbing or complex installation, making it suitable for deployment in a wide range of settings. Equipped with wheels, the unit can be easily moved between factories, construction sites, warehouses, and outdoor event venues.
According to the manufacturer, the product is intended for use in factories, construction projects, schools, shopping centers, warehouses, and other workplaces where people spend extended periods exposed to extreme heat.
According to Japan Today, the device is priced at around ¥1.5 million (approximately US$9,000). As a result, its initial customers are expected to be businesses, industrial operators, and large organizations rather than households.
Experts believe that as heatwaves become more severe worldwide, personal cooling technologies are emerging as a fast-growing market. Countries including Spain, Italy, and the United States have already introduced measures such as cooling shelters, designated rest stations, and advanced heat warning systems to protect vulnerable populations and outdoor workers.
In Japan, thousands of people are hospitalized with heat-related illnesses every summer. Rising temperatures have prompted both the government and industry to invest more heavily in climate-adaptive technologies.
Analysts argue that while products such as the Do Hiemon Box may seem unconventional today, they could become standard equipment in workplaces and public spaces around the world if global temperatures continue to rise.
Re: CHN