Walking around Tokyo in the summer, you’ll notice many people carrying hand-held fans. However, the fan held by Eimi Nakayama, a university student, stood out for its advanced technology. It featured a small metal plate that operates using the principles behind semiconductors, creating a cooling effect through electrical currents.

Ms. Nakayama described the cooling effect as similar to pressing a cold drink against her neck. She also noted that the airflow seemed cooler, likely due to the plate. This type of personal cooling device is becoming widespread in East Asian cities. The region recently experienced a severe heat wave, leading to disruptions such as canceled baseball games in South Korea and the introduction of the term kokushobi in Japan, meaning “cruel heat day.”

Summers in East Asia are increasingly hotter and longer. Personal cooling solutions are now essential parts of everyday life. While the market once focused on affordable hand-held fans, it now includes a variety of advanced products. These range from air-conditioned clothing to sprays claiming to reduce body temperature quickly.

The demand for these cooling products is rising sharply. Employers and governments are beginning to perceive them as necessities instead of luxury items.

Recent brutal heat has significantly impacted South Korea, resulting in a severe heat wave. The country’s president declared a national disaster after several tragic deaths occurred.