The cooling jacket was designed in 2004 by a Japanese company for people who work outdoors on hot summer days. Ideal for construction workers, glaziers or carpenters. But today, the cooling jacket from Japan has become extremely popular, and not only among workers. People from all over the world are now lining up outside stores in Tokyo that sell this product.

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Cooling jacket from Japan: what is it exactly?

It was Hiroshi Ichigaya who came up with the idea for cooling clothing. The Japanese engineer moved to Southeast Asia in 1991, where he noticed how widely fans were used. He developed a jacket with two built-in fans to cool the body. These jackets are also known as fan jackets.

The fans run on a battery that you carry in your pocket. It lasts seven to eight hours, meaning you can wear it throughout a full workday. At first, people thought it was a strange idea. Why would you wear a jacket when you are already hot? Still, Ichigaya decided to develop and sell the jackets under his company name Kuchofuku.

After several hot summers, construction workers started to give it a try. They were satisfied, and through word of mouth, interest in the cooling jacket gradually increased.

 

Why cooling jackets from Japan are becoming popular

Today, several companies sell cooling workwear. Although similar jackets are now available worldwide, Japan remains the largest supplier.

At Bic Uniform, a workwear store in Tokyo, you will often see long lines outside. What stands out is that most customers are not Japanese. Around 70% come from abroad, including 60% from Taiwan and 10% from other countries. And most of them specifically come for the cooling jacket.

Looking at the price, this makes sense. A jacket with two fans and a battery costs around 25,000 yen, which is approximately 133 euros or 157 US dollars.

Social media also plays a key role. The cooling jacket is a unique product, making it ideal for video content. Below, you can see a YouTuber testing a cooling jacket from Japan. At the time of writing, the video has reached 3.2 million views.

Work safety and rising temperatures

 

While word of mouth, pricing and social media contribute to the popularity, there are more factors at play.

Rising temperatures are a major driver. Summers are getting hotter, which creates challenges for many professions. This applies not only to outdoor workers but also to people working in factories. Heat combined with crowded environments leads to even higher temperatures. In countries like Japan and Taiwan, this is a serious issue.

It is not only uncomfortable, it also affects safety and productivity. On top of that, regulations around workplace safety are becoming stricter. And when it comes to clothing with built-in fans, Japan has built strong expertise. As a result, consumers trust products from this market.

 

Want to read more about workwear and trends in Japan?

Also check:

• Cooling vest is a great solution against heat for COVID-19 nurses
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• Japanese school dress code explained

Kind regards,

Aileen