Is There No Fridge for Humans in the Scorching Heat?… It Turns Out Japan Has One

Amid unrelenting and blazing heatwaves, a "human refrigerator" that allows people to step inside and instantly cool off has appeared in Japan, drawing significant attention.

According to Bloomberg and other outlets on the 5th, TRUSCO Nakayama, a Japanese machinery and tool manufacturer, is selling a human-sized refrigerator called the "Dohiemon Box."

Large enough to fit a single person, this "refrigerator" maintains an internal temperature of 15°C (59°F) and blows a 5°C (41°F) stream of cool air once a user steps inside, quickly cooling down heat-exhausted bodies.

It focuses on cooling the back of the neck and features wheels for easy mobility.

Inside the device is a bench-like seat, allowing users to sit comfortably and cool down their overheated bodies.

Since its launch earlier this year, 200 units have been sold to construction sites, golf courses, universities, and leisure facilities.

Another advantage of the Dohiemon Box is that it can be plugged into a standard electrical outlet for use.

While the electricity cost is relatively affordable at 15.8 yen (approx. 143 won) per hour, the unit carries a hefty price tag of 1.5 million yen (approx. 13.56 million won).

Fumiaki Matsubara, a general manager at TRUSCO Nakayama, explained, "Rather than a resting place, the concept is to provide a space that prevents physical conditions from worsening due to the heat," adding, "Demand for products that cool down heat at workplaces has been doubling every year over the past few years."

The company believes that as extreme heat becomes more common each year, purchasing demand will continue to grow in crowded places such as shopping malls and summer festival venues.

(File Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.