Two Japanese companies have released a personal cooling box named Do Hiemon to help residents combat extreme summer temperatures as a severe heatwave sweeps across Japan.
The stainless steel cooling unit, developed by a vending machine manufacturer alongside supplier Trusco and producer SDRS, retails for 1.5 million yen ($9,600).
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Designed to tackle heat exhaustion, the portable device features a built-in chair and blows jets of 5C air directly onto the user's head, neck, shoulders, and back.
Maintained at an internal temperature of roughly 15C, the unit automatically shuts down after 20 minutes of operation.
According to manufacturer SDRS, the 84-inch-high and 47-inch-deep box runs at a cost of just 16 yen per hour, offering a more energy-efficient alternative to conventional air conditioning systems.
Supplier Trusco reported that the mobile unit represents the first device to achieve whole-body cooling.
The company claims users will experience a significant drop in body temperature within five minutes and that spending 10 minutes inside helps relieve heat exhaustion symptoms.
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Trusco suggested deploying the mobile device to construction and agricultural sites, as well as high-traffic locations like shopping malls, schools, festivals, and sports venues to protect outdoor workers and the public.
The technology arrives as Japan faces scorching conditions, with temperatures topping 38.5C in Toyota city and exceeding 36C in Tokyo.
Meteorological officials warned that temperatures could exceed 40C later in the week.
The extreme heat follows Japan's hottest summer on record last year, during which average temperatures exceeded normal levels by 2.36C.
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According to the Japanese Fire and Disaster Management Agency, seven individuals have died from heatstroke this year, with more than 4,500 people hospitalized between July 6 and July 12.
