Summer in Japan can be difficult. Temperatures often go above 30℃, and it's also very wet. Of course, many buildings have air conditioners, but people do need to go outside sometimes. So how do Japanese people stay cool?
While some use traditional fans, these days it's common to see people carrying small handheld electric fans to keep themselves cool. One company has already made work jackets with electric fans inside to keep the wearer cool.
And now another Japanese company has created an air conditioner that you can just wear around your waist. The "WearCool" which was created by the company Gloture, is a belt that uses five small fans to blow cool air up the front and back of your body at up to 5 meters a second. The inside of the belt is also made of a material that takes in heat, so it's comfortable to wear. The belt can be changed for different waist sizes too. And while Gloture's pictures show models wearing the belt like a fashion accessory (配饰), you can actually wear it under your clothes.
WearCool comes with a powerful battery that lets it be used without stopping for less than 17 hours, the company says. And you can change both the speed and the direction of the air f low by using an app which can be used in English or Japanese. WearCool is now available from Gloture's online store and costs around $230. But will it become as popular as those handheld electric fans?
So, don't be afraid of the summer, we have many ways to keep cool! Just smile to the hot weather!
