1 of 2 Makita Fan Jacket Photo: Reproduction/Disclosure by Makita. Makita Fan Jacket Photo: Reproduction/Disclosure by Makita
As Europe faces a climate crisis and breaks records on hot days, Japan is preparing for hot days with a special garment called the “fan jacket” that has fans on the sides and even individually controlled air conditioning.
Designed by Hiroshi Ichigaya, a former Sony engineer, the suit features two electric fans in the lower back. According to The Guardian newspaper, Ichigaya found inspiration for the invention while traveling through Southeast Asia in 1988 after his early retirement.
The jacket was first launched in 2004 by Ichigaya in a line called Kuchofuku, which translates to ‘airconditioned clothing’ and when little was said about a warmer planet due to global warming.
Early models had short battery life and occasional malfunctions, according to the Guardian. When the jackets were relaunched in 2009, they gradually attracted fans and eventually other companies started creating their own versions.
In 2015, power tool and accessory maker Makita launched its first jacket version, albeit in a more targeted form for the brand’s customers.
“Because we’re a tool maker, some of our customers are carpenters, construction workers and farmers — people who work outside in the heat,” said Daisuke Seiki, Makita’s deputy general affairs department manager, according to the Guardian.
Like other companies in the industry, Makita now offers a range of models equipped with special batteries that keep the fans running for more than 60 hours.
Another popular heatsaving innovation in Japan is the Reon Pocket, a portable air conditioner that looks like a clip attached to clothing. The first model was created as part of a Sony startup program and was crowdfunded in 2019. The latest version, the Reon Pocket 4 hit stores this year.
2 of 2 Reon Pocket, the Sony portable air conditioner launched in Japan Photo: reproduction Sony Reon Pocket, the Sony portable air conditioner launched in Japan Photo: reproduction Sony
With an “intelligent cooling mode”, the device’s sensors recognize behaviors such as walking and automatically adjust the cooling level so that the user is comfortable.