This summer, Cool Biz – a combination of the English words excellent and Business – is the buzzword in Japan. The title is a government-sponsored campaign that encourages office workers to ditch their ties and jackets to stay cool without having to lower the thermostat of the air conditioner. The Cool Biz concept is now being taken to the next level with kuchofuku or air-conditioned clothing. This new kind of clothing allows people to stay cool in long sleeves. Clothing with Built-In Fan In the Cool Biz Campaign, employees of companies are encouraged to take off their jackets and ties in order to wear clothes that are more stylish and cooler. However, many men are used to wearing ties and suits and find it difficult to let go.
Kuchofuku Inc., a Japanese company that first introduced the idea of air-conditioned clothing in April 2005, is now producing it.
Two small fans, each about 10 cm in diameter, are attached to the left and right sides of the garments just above the waist. The fans pull in large amounts of air, which helps to vaporize the sweat. The heat dissipates as the perspiration evaporates, and the body temperature of the wearer is lowered. Air-conditioned clothing is designed to boost the body’s natural cooling mechanism, which allows it to function even in the most humid and hot conditions.
There are two types of air-conditioned clothes on the market: a jacket that comes in both short and long sleeves and a long-sleeved blouse. Both appear to be oppressively hot, but they are extremely comfortable and can keep even the most hard-working worker cool.
Save money and be environmentally friendly.
The jackets come in 100% cotton or 100% polyester, while the blousons are 100% polyester. The fans are powered by four nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries of AA size. They can be reused many times, thus minimizing their impact on the environment. The fans are lightweight and don’t weigh down the user.
Kuchofuku Inc. claims that it’s cheaper to buy this clothing than to install a large air conditioning system. Running costs are minimal, and companies can also save money on their high summer electricity bills. These clothes are not only cost-effective but also boost worker productivity while fighting global warming.
In comments made to the media by Ichigaya, Hiroshi, the founder of Kuchofuku Inc., who was formerly an engineer at Sony Corporation said that he has been working on the design of air-conditioned clothing since 1999 when he first experimented with water to create the cooling effect.
Ichigaya has now turned his attention to the overseas market. He has already signed an agreement with a South Korean manufacturer of clothing and accessories for fans, and plans to start full-scale production by 2006 at a factory in China.
Ichigaya would like to create a vest with fans that can be worn underneath regular clothing so that his products are available to both men and women who work in offices. He also develops air-conditioned raincoats and suits. Ichigaya is a man who wants to create air-conditioned clothing that anyone can wear anywhere.
The jackets can be ordered online or through a catalogue. They cost Y=12600 ($115, at Y=110 per dollar). The clothes are currently primarily used by workers at factories, tunnels and underground construction sites where air conditioners can’t be installed. Air-conditioned clothing could be adopted in other places and countries soon, due to their cost and environmental advantages.
Air Conditioned Clothes
