Tokyo's "Heat Countermeasures Goods Contest": "ReReCo®︎," a "Life-Monitoring Safety Remote" Born from Solitary Deaths Due to Heatstroke, Passes Primary Screening as Award Candidate!

Brown Lab (Kasugabe City, Saitama Prefecture; Representative: Yoshiyuki Nagasawa) developed the “life-monitoring safety remote” “ReReCo®︎”. It has passed the primary screening of the “Tokyo Heat Countermeasures Goods Contest” organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Environment Public Corporation, and has been selected as an award candidate.

Out of 113 entries, 3 products from each division, totaling 12 products, passed the primary screening. ReReCo®︎ passed in the “Measurement and Monitoring Division.” The secondary screening (May 8-10) will involve voting by Tokyo citizens through the official Tokyo Metropolitan Government app.

◾️Increasing Risk of Heatstroke, High Temperatures Predicted for 2026

In 2025, the number of emergency transports due to heatstroke exceeded 100,000 for the first time since data collection began, reaching 100,510 people (Fire and Disaster Management Agency). The primary location of occurrence was “residences (at home),” accounting for 38% of the total, highlighting that homes are more dangerous than outdoors.

Even more serious is the fact that approximately 90% of heatstroke deaths among the elderly occur “indoors,” and many of these individuals were not using air conditioners (Ministry of the Environment, January 26, Reiwa 5 / Tokyo Medical Examiner’s Office data). Elderly people often have reduced sensitivity to temperature, making it difficult for them to notice heat. Consequently, cases where they turn off their air conditioners due to beliefs like “air conditioners are bad for health” or “electricity bills are a waste” are endless.

Summer 2026 is expected to be hotter than average (Japan Meteorological Agency long-term forecast), with an early end to the rainy season and the potential for an early onset of intense heat. The Japan Weather Association predicts a nationwide trend of high temperatures from April to June, making early heatstroke prevention, especially strengthening measures within homes, an urgent priority.

◾️Features of “Life-Monitoring Safety Remote” ReReCo®︎

ReReCo®︎ is a “monitoring remote” that learns the remote control signals of existing air conditioners and automatically activates the air conditioner when the room temperature exceeds the set temperature. The biggest difference from general smart remotes is that it requires absolutely no Wi-Fi, smartphone, or PC. It can be set up in 3 seconds by pressing just two buttons, making it easy for elderly people who are not digitally savvy to use.

・Equipped with temperature sensor: Automatically activates the air conditioner when the set temperature is exceeded.

・24/7/365 monitoring: Continuously checks room temperature every 5 minutes.

・Automatic recovery after momentary power outage: Automatically restarts the air conditioner when power returns.

・No Wi-Fi/smartphone required: Operates even without an internet environment.

・3-second setup: Learning and settings completed with 3 buttons; no construction required.

・One season battery life: No battery replacement needed for one season (AA battery 2800mAh).

・Compatible with all manufacturers: Full infrared pulse copy supports almost all household air conditioners.

Available in 4 colors: White, Green, Pink, Black.

◾️Simple Usage of ReReCo®︎: “Learn, Monitor, Operate”

① Learn: Bring an existing remote control close to ReReCo® and press the cooling button with the current settings to learn the signal (approx. 3 seconds).

② Monitor: Simply place it where the air conditioner’s receiver can be seen. It continuously checks the room temperature every 5 minutes.

③ Operate: When the room temperature rises above the set temperature, the air conditioner automatically turns ON. Even if you turn off the air conditioner manually, it will automatically restart if the temperature exceeds the set temperature again.

◾️Background of ReReCo®︎ Development: “If only the air conditioner had turned on automatically that day…”

Yoshiyuki Nagasawa, inventor and representative of Brown Lab, has been operating a convenience service business since 2003 and a遺品整理 (bereavement cleanup) business since 2008. He has witnessed numerous scenes of solitary deaths and heatstroke among the elderly.

A turning point was the death of an elderly woman he had known for over 10 years, who lived alone.
“There were no air conditioners in my day, and I was fine,” she would laugh. But during a scorching summer, she spent it with only a fan, collapsed from heatstroke, and passed away.

“If the air conditioner had turned on automatically when the room temperature rose, could it have been prevented?”

This thought was the origin of ReReCo®︎’s development. Nagasawa wants no one else to experience the same regret he felt.
After about 8 years since its conception, it was completed in 2025 and named “ReReCo®︎” (Relief Remote Control), combining “Remote: remote,” “Relief: peace of mind,” and “Control: operation.” It aims to be more than just a convenient tool; it seeks to be a “partner that brings peace of mind,” challenging to create a society where everyone can live safely.

Yoshiyuki Nagasawa, Representative of Brown Lab

◾️About the Tokyo Heat Countermeasures Goods Contest

“Tokyo Heat Countermeasures Goods Contest” page on the Tokyo Metropolitan Heatstroke Prevention Portal Site.

The Tokyo Heat Countermeasures Goods Contest, as part of the “Life-Saving Heatstroke Countermeasures” in the “2050 Tokyo Strategy,” is the first initiative organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Environment Public Corporation. It solicits excellent heat countermeasures goods from businesses and awards superior products after expert screening and public voting.

This time, out of 113 entries, 3 products from each division, totaling 12 products, passed the primary screening (expert screening). ReReCo®︎ passed the primary screening in the “Measurement and Monitoring Division” and was selected as an award candidate.