Japan Introduces Human Refrigerators to Combat Extreme Heat

Japanese industrial manufacturers introduced portable cooling booths known as human refrigerators to protect outdoor workers from severe heat waves. Developed by SDRS and distributed by Trusco Nakayama, the device resembles a standard vending machine.

The unit stands over two meters tall and maintains an internal temperature near 15 degrees Celsius. Upon entry, chilled air flows over the user's upper body to lower core temperatures rapidly within a five-minute cycle.

Units are deployed primarily at construction sites, steel mills, and outdoor leisure facilities where conventional air conditioning is impractical. Despite high unit costs, adoption is growing as workplaces implement stricter heatstroke prevention measures.