‘Refrigerator for humans’ in Japan offers relief from scorching summer

Japan's punishing summer heat has spurred the creation of an unusual cooling device: a large, walk-in "refrigerator for humans." The Do Hiemon Box, a stainless-steel booth designed to fit a person, offers instant relief from temperatures often exceeding 35 degrees Celsius.

Trusco Nakayama has sold about 200 of these booths, priced at 1.5 million yen (S$12,200) each, to various facilities including steel mills, construction sites, golf courses, and universities since their release earlier in 2026. The device plugs into a standard electrical outlet and maintains a cool 15 degrees Celsius, blowing 5-degree air to combat heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

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The concept was less about providing a place to rest and more about providing equipment that could help prevent heat-related conditions from becoming more severe.

Fumiaki Matsubara, general manager of Trusco's product division, explained the concept focused on preventing severe heat-related conditions rather than providing a lounging space. The company, which primarily manufactures machinery and tools, has seen a significant increase in demand for its workplace cooling products, with sales roughly doubling annually in recent years. This trend is partly driven by tighter government regulations aimed at preventing heatstroke.

With inquiries coming from as far as Germany and the United States, Trusco sees growing potential for the Do Hiemon Box in crowded venues like shopping malls and summer festivals, especially as extreme heat becomes more prevalent globally. The company also provided units to evacuation shelters following a recent earthquake in Kumamoto.

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Demand for our broader workplace cooling products has roughly doubled every year in recent years.