Uchikura & Co., LLC

In some parts of Japan, the summer heat can be absolutely brutal, with temperatures soaring as high as 110°F (about 43°C). Every year, countless people suffer from heat exhaustion—especially those who have to work outdoors for long hours, such as construction workers, delivery staff, and farmers. To help combat this, Japan came up with a very practical solution: the cooling jacket.

 

These jackets are designed with small built-in fans that pull air from the outside and circulate it inside the jacket, creating a steady flow of cool air against the body. It’s a surprisingly simple concept, but very effective in reducing the risk of overheating. The price for one of these cooling jackets typically ranges from ¥10,000 to ¥30,000, which is roughly $70 to $200 depending on the quality, battery life, and brand.

 

If you visit Japan during the summer, you’ll notice something interesting: nearly everyone working outdoors is wearing one. It has become a standard piece of equipment, almost like a hard hat or safety vest. In fact, it’s so common now that seeing outdoor workers without a cooling jacket feels unusual. The widespread adoption really shows how seriously Japan takes workplace safety and how innovative they can be in solving everyday problems caused by extreme weather.