TOKYO: To combat this summer’s heat waves both day and night, Japanese companies are encouraging people to utilize products and services aimed at helping them avoid getting heatstroke while sleeping.

Clothing maker Gunze Ltd. released pajamas in its perspiration-wicking product series “Asedoron” in April. The cool pajamas are made from a mixture of rayon and polyester, which are hygroscopic and dry quickly.

“The important thing to stay comfortable is to choose materials with high sweat absorption,” an official of the company said.

In the field of home electronics, air conditioners utilizing artificial intelligence, which enable temperature and humidity to be regulated and learn previous settings automatically, are in focus.

Panasonic Corp.’s “Eolia” brand air conditioners turn on when a sensor detects people and turn off three hours after the sensor notices their absence.

Sharp Corp.’s “Cocoro Air” cloud service, which is designed to control air conditioners, suggests optimum settings for users by learning their living patterns.

Daikin Industries Ltd. released the results of a survey showing that setting a timer to turn off an air conditioner before sleeping increases the risk of suffering heatstroke in the morning, compared with leaving the unit on.

The company shows best settings in detail on its website, such as calling for “setting humidity to 50 to 60 percent,” “automatically adjusting fan speed” and “adjusting the airflow direction upward or horizontally.”

Some people are reluctant to keep air conditioners on during the night because of the cost of electricity. With energy prices soaring, household burdens have been getting heavier.

Kansai Electric Power Co. estimates the electricity bill for keeping an air conditioner on for eight hours at night at about 164 yen.

For customers who want to reduce their power bills, Yamazen Corp. released this summer a portable air conditioner with a solar panel that allows users to charge the battery outside during daytime and use it at night.

“The product can be used in rooms where it’s difficult to install an air conditioner, and it also helps prevent heatstroke at night,” an official of the company said.

JIJI Press