This Japanese fan jacket can keep you cool in extreme heat

Image credit : The Japan Times The latest trend in Japan for this year's summer season is a practical and innovative jacket equipped with twin electric fans positioned around the lower back. With the summer months becoming increasingly hot and humid, particularly for those working outdoors, people are turning to these "fan-jakketo" jackets to stay cooler and more comfortable during their workdays.

Japan is seeing the rapid spread of work clothes that aim to protect against heat. The fans attached to the clothes suck outside air, evaporating sweat, thereby releasing heat through vaporization and cooling the body [read more: https://t.co/ghiuoqcqOs]pic.twitter.com/CgH31dV2fQ

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The fans within the jacket circulate air, creating a personal micro-environment that generates a gentle breeze, providing relief from the sweltering heat and humidity. [caption id="attachment_188665" align="aligncenter" width="2124"] Teijin's air-conditioned vest. Srouce: Teijin[/caption] The inventor of this unique jacket is Hiroshi Ichigaya, a former Sony engineer. He conceived the idea while traveling through southeast Asia in 1988 after retiring early. Observing the rapid development of cities in the region and the subsequent increase in energy consumption due to air-conditioning systems in new buildings, Ichigaya aimed to develop an energy-efficient individual cooling solution. [caption id="attachment_188663" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Image credit : Yahoo News Singapore[/caption] This led to the creation of the fan jacket, which he introduced to the market in 2004 through his newly established venture, Kuchofuku, meaning "air-conditioned clothes" in translation. Although the concept of wearing a jacket in the heat may seem counterintuitive, the early models of the jacket faced challenges like short battery life and occasional malfunctions. However, after a relaunch in 2009, the jackets gradually gained a following and other companies began creating their own versions. Also read : MIT Researchers Create Light-emitting Plant In 2015, Makita, a company known for manufacturing power tools and accessories, also entered the fan jacket market, offering a product that appealed to its existing customer base.