Amid 40-degree heat, even cosmetics and sanitary pads are frozen before use... Japan hit by a 'cooling' craze

As temperatures near 40C persist across Japan, demand for cooling products is surging.

Shiseido, Unicharm, and Kobayashi Pharmaceutical are rolling out frozen-use cosmetics, cooling sanitary pads, and medicines for hot nights.

The prolonged heatwave is rapidly expanding the market and shifting consumer demand toward summer relief products.

Heatstroke cases and damage at industrial sites are also rising, increasing the need for broader social and workplace responses.