On August 12, the BBC recorded an unexpected hit of relief in the sweltering lanes of Tokyo: a fresh, airy box that smelled of cool air and marketed itself as a ‘human fridge.’ The Do Hiemon, which translates to “cooling box,” is a vending‑machine‑style refrigeration unit that pulls an entire room outside the temperature‑hazed heat of a city that has just registered more than 53,000 heat‑stroke cases and 79 heat‑related deaths.
The device, designed by the companies behind the game‑like Consonance game console, costs ¥1.5 million (about US$9,400) and can be placed in airports, malls and office lobbies. CEO Testsuya Nakayama explained to the BBC that the units are inspired by the old frozen‑food vending machines that line street corners, though modernised to be indoor cooling sanctuaries. “The idea is to give people a public, safe place to cool down during heatwaves,” Nakayama said.
The first public trial took place at a packed food‑court in Shibuya. BBC correspondent Kurumi Mori stepped inside the Do Hiemon with a flip‑phone basket lighting a 23‑degree air of calm, and said: “It’s like a mini‑cool room that people can occupy for 15 minutes, with a door that opens fully and lets you slide in.” The inside temperature drops from cafés, above 32‑degree heat, to a comfortable 18‑degree.
As corporations line up to purchase the units, city officials argue that it is a temporary fix for a climate crisis that demands more than summer‑centred medical response. Residents who are unable to afford a Do Hiemon cite cost barriers, sparking a social media debate about public access versus premium‑market cooling solutions. Community groups are calling for open‑door arrangements in schools, parks and community centres.
The Do Hiemon is already sparking comparisons with other emerging public cooling technologies. Analysts note that the device’s “cool‑cash” model mirrors the concept of “human‑cobal” in Canada, where citizens pay for private cooling pods in public parks. Experts say that these innovations are stepping stones to an integrated heat‑management policy that would include green roofs, solar‑powered fans and winter‑zone loops.
For now, the Do Hiemon stands as a visible emblem of how Japan is turning the heat crisis into a market opportunity, while community voices push for an inclusive solution. Whether the world’s first “human fridge” becomes a staple of the cities or a novelty of the moment remains to be seen. In any case, the current data point to a burgeoning industry of portable, cold shelters – and a reminder that enough cooling, for everyone, is a public health imperative.
