Japan is battling an unprecedented summer heatwave, with more than 53,000 people treated for heatstroke and 79 fatalities in just the past two months.
In a bid to curb heat‑related illnesses, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has begun deploying a new cooling device called the Do Hiemon (the Cooling Box). The units are priced at ¥1.5 million each (about $9,407) and are designed to resemble the dense, cool‑air contrail of a freezer vending machine.
“The design was inspired by freezer vending machines,” said CEO Testsuya Nakayama of the manufacturer when speaking with the BBC. “We wanted a compact, efficient way to deliver instant cooling to the public.”
Since the rollout, the units have been installed in crowded commuter stations, shopping malls, and other heavily used public spaces. A pilot program has seen local businesses purchase the devices and offer free, regulated cooling sessions to employees during the hottest hours of the day.
The BBC’s Tokyo correspondent Kurumi Mori got a first‑hand look at the Do Hiemon and reported that users found it highly effective at reducing body temperature, especially in the cramped conditions typical of busy transit hubs.
