A New Idea to Take Away Heat When 'Cooling' Wasn't Enough: Joint Development of Heatstroke Countermeasure Device Using Air Shower Technology with General Contractor
Sankyo Kucho Co., Ltd. is developing a new heatstroke prevention device called "Torunetsu" that applies air shower technology to directly cool workers in hot environments by removing heat from their body surfaces. Developed in collaboration with Sanwa Kensetsu, this device is designed for short, frequent use during breaks, providing superior cooling effects compared to conventional space-cooling methods.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 28, 2026 at 00:35
- 🔍 Collected: March 28, 2026 at 21:59 (21h 24m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 02:43 (412h 44m after Collected)
Sankyo Kucho Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shijonawate City, Osaka Prefecture; President: Satoshi Tsujinaka) is developing a "Heatstroke Countermeasure Air Shower (patent pending/application number: 2025-81762)" aimed at preventing heatstroke and reducing the physical burden on workers in hot environments.
Currently, the project is in the development phase of the third prototype, undergoing continuous improvements based on verification results. This product is a "cooling device for people" that applies air shower technology to remove heat clinging to the worker's body surface in a short time. Unlike conventional space cooling, it directly cools the "body itself," aiming to reduce the perceived burden in hot environments.
It is designed to enable quick refreshment, with the premise of being used continuously on-site.
■ Features (Mechanism to take away heat)
- Removes heat from the body surface in a short time with a strong blast of air.
- Structure that directly cools the "person," not the space.
- Designed for short-term use, allowing usage between tasks.
- Intended usage time is approximately 3 minutes (*based on verification conditions).
- Structure that is easy to install even in temporary environments.
These features are intended to address social issues in hot environments that have become increasingly serious in recent years.
In recent years, the risk of heatstroke in the workplace has continued to rise due to the impact of rising temperatures. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's "Occurrence of Labor Accidents due to Heatstroke in the Workplace (Preliminary figures as of the end of October 2025)," the manufacturing industry has the highest number of casualties due to heatstroke while working, and the construction industry has the highest number of deaths. As the reality on-site, which cannot be prevented by conventional measures alone, becomes apparent, heatstroke prevention is being reconsidered not just as a duty to ensure safety, but as an important management issue related to business continuity.
■ The Trigger for Development Was a "Cooling Room That Couldn't Cool Down"
The starting point for this development was a consultation from group company Sanwa Kensetsu.
In the summer of 2024, Sanwa Kensetsu built a prototype simple cooling room by installing a spot cooler in a vinyl house. However, in an environment affected by outside temperature and radiant heat, the entire space could not be cooled sufficiently, and it did not reach a level that could be utilized in actual practice.
This result highlighted the issue that in hot environments affected by outside air, there is a limit to the conventional approach of "cooling the space."
In January 2025, a consultation was received by Sankyo Kucho asking, "Can air shower technology be applied?" which was the beginning of full-scale development.
■ Cooling the "Body," Not the "Space"
Yosuke Minatogawa, Development Department, Sankyo Kucho (46 years old / 21 years and 5 months of service)
"Our factory is also very hot in the summer, and it has become normal for people working on the manufacturing floor to endure the heat.
When I looked at construction sites, I felt that the situation was by no means special; it was the same 'manufacturing floor.'
In this development, I always had in mind not only the people who use it but also the people who are responsible for installation and construction. The desire to reduce the burden on those who sweat in the field, even by a little, has been the driving force behind the development.
What I learned through verification tests is that people do not truly feel better just by cooling the space.
What was necessary was to remove the 'heat itself' that clings to the body."
This device is an application of the air shower (AS series), which is a flagship product of Sankyo Kucho. While general cooling equipment aims to lower the spatial temperature, this device is characterized by its ability to promote convection on the body surface with a strong airflow, releasing heat in a short time.
■ Verification and Comments with Professor Emeritus of Waseda University
In this development, verification targeting construction workers in a hot environment was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Kei Nagashima, Professor Emeritus of Waseda University (Representative Director and President of Vitalate Co., Ltd.).
Based on the results, the following evaluation was obtained from Dr. Nagashima.
"From the knowledge of a doctor and physiologist, this machine can be said to be a revolutionary heatstroke countermeasure for sites in extreme heat.
In verification experiments, an immediate cooling effect exceeding that of a normal break was confirmed after 3 minutes of use.
In addition to lowering skin temperature, the reduction of physical and psychological burdens, such as stabilization of heart rate, has been recognized.
Another major advantage is that it does not stop the flow of work and can be easily introduced to the site.
I recommend it as a heatstroke countermeasure with extremely high practical value that contributes to improving safety and reducing fatigue at construction and logistics sites."
Minatogawa says the following:
"Heatstroke prevention has three main pillars: 'hydration,' 'breaks,' and 'body cooling.'
This device plays a role in powerfully supplementing the 'body cooling' among those. I believe that by resetting the heat on the body surface with the air shower and thoroughly hydrating during that time, it will become an effective measure on-site."
■ Improvements in the 3rd Prototype
Based on the verification results, the following improvements are being implemented in the 3rd prototype currently under development.
- Optimization to a size and weight that can be transported by forklift.
- Redesign of the interior structure to allow strong wind to reach the whole body.
- Review of the distance and arrangement between the outlet and the human body.
We are proceeding with improvements including operability and installability to bring it closer to a "device that is naturally used on-site."
We are also considering its potential as a product that can be used all year round, with an eye on its utilization in winter.
■ Public Unveiling at the "Heatstroke Prevention Exhibition"
This product will be unveiled for the first time at the Heatstroke Prevention Exhibition held at Intex Osaka from Wednesday, April 15, to Friday, April 17, 2026.
At the venue, we plan to exhibit the actual machine and introduce the verification data and development background.
■ Future Development
After the exhibition, test introductions will begin at construction sites and our own factories from early May.
Sankyo Kucho will continue to promote technological development that contributes to ensuring the safety of people working in hot environments, including in the manufacturing and construction industries.
■ "Torunetsu" Overview
- Product Name: Torunetsu
- External Dimensions: 1490 (W) x 1155 (D) x 2237 (H)
- Jet Nozzles: 22 (Wind speed: 30m/s or more)
- Outer Wall: Metal siding
- Power Supply: Three-phase AC200V (50/60Hz) approx. 1.6kw / Single-phase AC100V (50/60Hz) approx. 0.8kw
- Sales: Pre-orders start from late April 2026
■ Company Overview
- Trade Name: Sankyo Kucho Co., Ltd.
- Representative: President Satoshi Tsujinaka
- Address: 1-32 Shiboya-honmachi, Shijonawate City, Osaka Prefecture, 575-0042
- Established: June 1969
- Business Description: Manufacturer of hygiene management equipment
- Capital: 45 million yen
- URL: https://sankyo-ku.co.jp/
Currently, the project is in the development phase of the third prototype, undergoing continuous improvements based on verification results. This product is a "cooling device for people" that applies air shower technology to remove heat clinging to the worker's body surface in a short time. Unlike conventional space cooling, it directly cools the "body itself," aiming to reduce the perceived burden in hot environments.
It is designed to enable quick refreshment, with the premise of being used continuously on-site.
■ Features (Mechanism to take away heat)
- Removes heat from the body surface in a short time with a strong blast of air.
- Structure that directly cools the "person," not the space.
- Designed for short-term use, allowing usage between tasks.
- Intended usage time is approximately 3 minutes (*based on verification conditions).
- Structure that is easy to install even in temporary environments.
These features are intended to address social issues in hot environments that have become increasingly serious in recent years.
In recent years, the risk of heatstroke in the workplace has continued to rise due to the impact of rising temperatures. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's "Occurrence of Labor Accidents due to Heatstroke in the Workplace (Preliminary figures as of the end of October 2025)," the manufacturing industry has the highest number of casualties due to heatstroke while working, and the construction industry has the highest number of deaths. As the reality on-site, which cannot be prevented by conventional measures alone, becomes apparent, heatstroke prevention is being reconsidered not just as a duty to ensure safety, but as an important management issue related to business continuity.
■ The Trigger for Development Was a "Cooling Room That Couldn't Cool Down"
The starting point for this development was a consultation from group company Sanwa Kensetsu.
In the summer of 2024, Sanwa Kensetsu built a prototype simple cooling room by installing a spot cooler in a vinyl house. However, in an environment affected by outside temperature and radiant heat, the entire space could not be cooled sufficiently, and it did not reach a level that could be utilized in actual practice.
This result highlighted the issue that in hot environments affected by outside air, there is a limit to the conventional approach of "cooling the space."
In January 2025, a consultation was received by Sankyo Kucho asking, "Can air shower technology be applied?" which was the beginning of full-scale development.
■ Cooling the "Body," Not the "Space"
Yosuke Minatogawa, Development Department, Sankyo Kucho (46 years old / 21 years and 5 months of service)
"Our factory is also very hot in the summer, and it has become normal for people working on the manufacturing floor to endure the heat.
When I looked at construction sites, I felt that the situation was by no means special; it was the same 'manufacturing floor.'
In this development, I always had in mind not only the people who use it but also the people who are responsible for installation and construction. The desire to reduce the burden on those who sweat in the field, even by a little, has been the driving force behind the development.
What I learned through verification tests is that people do not truly feel better just by cooling the space.
What was necessary was to remove the 'heat itself' that clings to the body."
This device is an application of the air shower (AS series), which is a flagship product of Sankyo Kucho. While general cooling equipment aims to lower the spatial temperature, this device is characterized by its ability to promote convection on the body surface with a strong airflow, releasing heat in a short time.
■ Verification and Comments with Professor Emeritus of Waseda University
In this development, verification targeting construction workers in a hot environment was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Kei Nagashima, Professor Emeritus of Waseda University (Representative Director and President of Vitalate Co., Ltd.).
Based on the results, the following evaluation was obtained from Dr. Nagashima.
"From the knowledge of a doctor and physiologist, this machine can be said to be a revolutionary heatstroke countermeasure for sites in extreme heat.
In verification experiments, an immediate cooling effect exceeding that of a normal break was confirmed after 3 minutes of use.
In addition to lowering skin temperature, the reduction of physical and psychological burdens, such as stabilization of heart rate, has been recognized.
Another major advantage is that it does not stop the flow of work and can be easily introduced to the site.
I recommend it as a heatstroke countermeasure with extremely high practical value that contributes to improving safety and reducing fatigue at construction and logistics sites."
Minatogawa says the following:
"Heatstroke prevention has three main pillars: 'hydration,' 'breaks,' and 'body cooling.'
This device plays a role in powerfully supplementing the 'body cooling' among those. I believe that by resetting the heat on the body surface with the air shower and thoroughly hydrating during that time, it will become an effective measure on-site."
■ Improvements in the 3rd Prototype
Based on the verification results, the following improvements are being implemented in the 3rd prototype currently under development.
- Optimization to a size and weight that can be transported by forklift.
- Redesign of the interior structure to allow strong wind to reach the whole body.
- Review of the distance and arrangement between the outlet and the human body.
We are proceeding with improvements including operability and installability to bring it closer to a "device that is naturally used on-site."
We are also considering its potential as a product that can be used all year round, with an eye on its utilization in winter.
■ Public Unveiling at the "Heatstroke Prevention Exhibition"
This product will be unveiled for the first time at the Heatstroke Prevention Exhibition held at Intex Osaka from Wednesday, April 15, to Friday, April 17, 2026.
At the venue, we plan to exhibit the actual machine and introduce the verification data and development background.
■ Future Development
After the exhibition, test introductions will begin at construction sites and our own factories from early May.
Sankyo Kucho will continue to promote technological development that contributes to ensuring the safety of people working in hot environments, including in the manufacturing and construction industries.
■ "Torunetsu" Overview
- Product Name: Torunetsu
- External Dimensions: 1490 (W) x 1155 (D) x 2237 (H)
- Jet Nozzles: 22 (Wind speed: 30m/s or more)
- Outer Wall: Metal siding
- Power Supply: Three-phase AC200V (50/60Hz) approx. 1.6kw / Single-phase AC100V (50/60Hz) approx. 0.8kw
- Sales: Pre-orders start from late April 2026
■ Company Overview
- Trade Name: Sankyo Kucho Co., Ltd.
- Representative: President Satoshi Tsujinaka
- Address: 1-32 Shiboya-honmachi, Shijonawate City, Osaka Prefecture, 575-0042
- Established: June 1969
- Business Description: Manufacturer of hygiene management equipment
- Capital: 45 million yen
- URL: https://sankyo-ku.co.jp/