Arab News Japan

The creation of cooling mechanisms that are both wearable and energy-efficient may seem like a concept adapted from science fiction, but for Japanese company Kuchou-fuku, who created air-conditioned clothes, view it as not only as an innovative fashion item but also a scientific advancement that could help the environment.

Kuchou-fuku’s products, which range from air-conditioned shirts and jackets to backpacks, cushions and beds include small air-conditioners that are made with  lithium-ion batteries, which increase the operating time and air flow.

The internal structure of air-conditioned clothing have two small fans sewn into the back of each garment, each of which are powered by a pocket-sized rechargeable battery pack that powers the two fans and circulates air across the skin of the person wearing it. In allowing air to circulate inside the garment, perspiration evaporates and the temperature of the wearer is kept down.

The idea behind the clothing occurred to the company’s owner, Hiroshi Ichigaya, when he realized the amount of power needed to cool buildings. The first pieces of clothing developed catered to construction workers, who spent time outdoors in the summer heat. Construction workers across Japan would wear the air-conditioned clothes to keep cool and the company’s popularity in the sector grew as a result.

As of 2019, Kuchou-fuku’s sold around 1.2 million pieces, which amounted to ¥5.7 billion.