Why are 'human fridges' being sold in Japan?

What the report says

Japan is dealing with increasingly intense summer heat, and BBC World News reports that the country has seen a sharp rise in heat-related illness in recent months. The article says more than 53,000 people were treated for heatstroke over the past two months, with 79 deaths reported, underscoring the public health pressure created by the weather.

In response, a device called the Do Hiemon, or "The Cooling Box," is being introduced in public spaces and marketed to businesses. BBC Tokyo correspondent Kurumi Mori tested the unit, which is described as a type of personal cooling booth meant to help people lower their body temperature quickly.

According to the BBC, the company behind the product says the idea was inspired by freezer vending machines. Its chief executive, Tetsuya Nakayama, told the broadcaster that the system is intended as a practical answer to extreme heat. The report also notes that each unit costs 1.5 million yen, or about $9,407.

The development reflects how Japanese companies are adapting products for hotter summers, a trend with broader relevance as heatwaves become more dangerous in many places. The BBC’s report does not say how widely the units will be adopted, but it highlights growing demand for cooling solutions in crowded public settings.