Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines

It's a pretty good idea, actually. But I wish they would do the easy response to rising summer temperatures first, by planting more shade trees.

  > "This is particularly helpful for people who work in hot environments such as construction sites, factories, warehouses and outdoor event venues"

It'd need thoughtful installation at indoor venues, to avoid warming the surroundings and making things worse for everyone not in the box.

I suppose human refrigerators describes the product, but it's not what I expected. I don't know what I expected though. Needs a better name. How about cooling booth or chill box or something.

In the US I would generally pop into a store in such circumstances, or in larger events in a field there might be a cooling tent. What makes this useful in Japan?

Human refrigerator as in a machine that refrigerates humans, not a human that refrigerates things, as I had erroneously assumed.

If I was sweaty and had 5c air blown on my back I would probably jump out of that box as fast as possible.

It's like the meme with the dog.