From "Cool Biz" to "Cool Share" Model projects are being developed around Nihonbashi.
The Ministry of the Environment is taking a step beyond "Cool Biz" by promoting "Cool Share," which encourages rethinking air conditioner usage and sharing coolness.
Since air conditioners account for over half of household electricity usage on hot summer days, the goal is to rethink per-person air conditioner usage. This involves avoiding multiple units running simultaneously, encouraging families to gather in one room whenever possible, and sharing coolness by utilizing public facilities.
Cool Share is also expected to be effective in countering heatstroke, a growing concern in recent years, and in supporting inbound tourism. Since 2012, 19 municipalities have advanced initiatives such as creating Cool Share Maps.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) implemented a regional model project called "Cool Share in Nihonbashi" in Tokyo's Chuo Ward Nihonbashi area from July 26 to August 9. This project involved a wide range of participants, including mixed-use facilities housing offices and restaurants, post offices, and major banks. Participating facilities increased to 39, about five times the previous number. Posters and stickers promoting Cool Share were distributed to highlight spaces and streets where people could "casually cool off."
At the kickoff event held on the first day at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Tetsu Morishita, Director-General of the Global Environment Bureau at the Ministry of the Environment, stated: "This initiative is effective for both heatstroke prevention and CO2 reduction. We aim to promote community-wide efforts under the theme 'Let's all enjoy sharing coolness together' in various locations. We hope families and friends will participate while enjoying meals and shopping."
Masahiro Horiuchi, representative of the Cool Share Secretariat (Professor, Tama Art University), explained the project's significance and introduced the convenience of the smartphone Cool Share Map. He shared various ideas, stating, "As the next step, we aim to make Tokyo a 'Cool City' by 2020."
Yasushi Miyake, Chair of the Heatstroke Prevention Awareness Project Executive Committee (Professor, Teikyo University School of Medicine), stated that the fundamentals of heatstroke prevention are "FIRE" (Fluid: proper hydration, Icing: cooling the body, Rest: rest, Emergency: emergency transport). He expressed his hopes, saying, "Cool Share is a meaningful project that prevents serious cases."
Olympic athletes Makoto Chiba (track and field) and Aya Terakawa (swimming) joined the event and discussed Cool Share.
Both expressed support for the initiative, noting, "The map will help overseas visitors unfamiliar with the area," and "Seeing the Cool Share mark makes it easier to enter just to cool off." From an athlete's perspective, they offered advice: "You can get heatstroke even in a pool, so don't forget to hydrate," and "Cooling the soles of your feet and palms before and after running is effective. I hope this is applied to watching sports outdoors too."
They called out, "Let's take sufficient heat countermeasures for the 2020 Games and get fired up!"
Participating in this pilot project were Mitsukoshi, Takashimaya, COREDO Nihonbashi, COREDO Muromachi, YUITO Nihonbashi Muromachi Nomura Building, Tokyo Tatemono Nihonbashi Building, Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Nihonbashi Branch, 19 post offices in the area, and 9 antenna shops.
Cool Share Site:
https://ondankataisaku.env.go.jp/coolchoice/coolshare/
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