Japan’s ‘Human Fridge’ Offers Workers Relief From Extreme Summer Heat

A phonebooth-sized cooling machine described as a “refrigerator for humans” is offering workers in Japan a novel way to escape the country’s punishing summer heat. The machine, known as the “Do Hiemon Box”, surrounds a person with jets of chilled air, providing rapid relief after exposure to high temperatures. The product was launched this year and has already attracted interest from workplaces where employees spend long periods in hot conditions.

One of the workers to use the machine is 51-year-old warehouse employee Isao Tabuchi, who said he turned to the cooling unit after feeling dizzy and unwell following his bicycle ride to work. Speaking to AFP in Higashiosaka, in western Japan, Tabuchi said the machine helped him recover from the heat. He described the experience as extremely cool and said the system provided noticeable relief after arriving at work overheated.

The cooling unit is designed in the shape of a compact booth, allowing a worker to step inside while streams of cold air rapidly lower the temperature around the body. Its arrival comes as Japan experiences increasingly challenging summer conditions, making heat management a growing concern for workplaces where employees operate outdoors or in industrial environments. The machine provides an enclosed space where workers can temporarily escape the heat before returning to their duties.

Also Read: Chasing Golden Skies? 9 Indian Destinations For Unforgettable Sunrise And Sunset Moments

Tokyo-based industrial equipment distributor Trusco Nakayama said it has sold more than 300 units of the Do Hiemon Box since April. Each machine is priced at about 1.5 million yen, making it a significant investment for employers. Despite the cost, the sales figures indicate that businesses exposed to extreme heat are showing interest in equipment that can provide workers with a dedicated cooling area during hot periods.

Construction sites, factories and warehouses are among the customers using the machines, according to China Yamamoto, a sales agent for the company. The distributor expects interest to expand beyond industrial workplaces, with golf courses among the potential future customers. Baseball stadiums could also be interested in the technology, particularly as sporting facilities look for ways to help staff and other workers cope with high temperatures.

Yamamoto said some people within the company had initially been sceptical about the product. The early sales, however, suggest that demand exists for unconventional methods of dealing with heat exposure. The machine is part of a wider effort by businesses to adapt to increasingly hot summer conditions and provide workers with opportunities to cool down during the working day.

For workers such as Tabuchi, the appeal is straightforward: a brief period inside the machine can provide immediate relief after exposure to intense heat. As Japan's summers become increasingly difficult for people working outdoors or in poorly cooled environments, the “human fridge” could find a growing market among employers seeking practical ways to protect workers from heat-related discomfort. Its growing adoption also reflects how businesses are experimenting with new workplace technologies to help employees cope with extreme temperatures.

Also Read: Thinking About A Belly Fat Burner? Know What The Evidence Shows