As the UK faces its fifth heatwave of the year and global temperatures soar, Japan has introduced a novel solution: a one-person 'human fridge' called the Do Hiemon, which translates roughly to 'cooling box'. Already installed in public spaces and sold to businesses, the booth provides rapid relief from extreme heat.
How the Do Hiemon works
Developed by Japanese industrial supplier TRUSCO Nakayama and refrigeration specialist Sanden Retail Systems, the Do Hiemon is a two-metre-tall stainless steel booth resembling a telephone box. It features a glass panel door, polystyrene insulation, and an interior bench. Inside, the temperature is maintained at 15°C, with 5°C air blasted through built-in vents.
The booth offers three cooling modes to help users acclimatise safely and includes an automatic shut-off timer that activates after 20 minutes to prevent over-cooling. Initially designed for workers in dangerous heat, such as construction workers, it could also serve in emergencies like earthquakes when air-conditioned spaces are unavailable.
Cost and availability
The Do Hiemon is being sold to businesses for 1,500,000¥ (approximately £6,973) each.
Heatwave impact in Japan and the UK
Japan, like much of the world, is experiencing hotter summers. In the past two months, more than 53,000 people have been treated for heatstroke, with 79 deaths reported. In the UK, temperatures are expected to reach 38°C on Thursday, with the Met Office issuing rare amber heat warnings active from 9am until midnight. London, the southeast, east of England, and the East Midlands are expected to be most affected.
The extreme heat has forced school closures, disrupted infrastructure, and caused 2,700 excess deaths in England and Wales in May and June alone. The warning is set to subside, but high temperatures are forecast to persist for the rest of the week.
