Japan has entered a new era of summer mitigation, with the country rolling out a costly “Do Hiemon”, or “Cooling Box,” to combat worsening heat that recently forced more than 53,000 people into hospitals for heatstroke and left 79 deaths.
Inspired by the design of freezer vending machines, the device costs roughly 1.5 million yen (about $9,400) per unit and is already appearing in public spaces across Osaka and Tokyo. It provides a dedicated cool zone for pedestrians and staff, offering a tangible solution amid the growing public health threat.
The CEO of the company behind the technology, Testsuya Nakayama, told a BBC interview that the ‘human fridge’ could help reduce heat‑related incidents, especially in densely populated city centres. Tokyo correspondent Kurumi Mori had the chance to test one of the units herself, noting the noticeable drop in ambient temperature.
While the system shows promise, critics question whether the high cost and limited coverage can realistically meet the population’s needs during the peak of the 2026 heatwave. Nonetheless, Japan’s experiment could pave the way for next‑generation public‑cooling infrastructure worldwide.
