Japanese turn to wearable tech to beat the heat

Selling jackets with built-in fans, neck coolers and T-shirts that feel cold, Japanese firms are tapping into a growing market for products to help people handle the summer heat. Japan -- like other countries -- is seeing ever-hotter summers.

This July was the warmest in 100 years, with at least 53 people dying of heatstroke and almost 50,000 needing emergency medical attention.Workman, which makes clothes for construction workers, launched a version of their fan-fitted jackets adapted for the high street in 2020 as demand grew.The mechanism is simple -- two electric, palm-sized fans powered by a rechargeable battery are fitted into the back of the jacket.The jackets retail for 12,000 to 24,000 yen.