It's summer. Get ready for the big chill.
It may be 32 degrees outside and shirt-drenchingly humid, but for some people this is the season for frozen fingers, sore throats, headaches and a host of other nasty niggles. Reibo-byo (air-conditioning syndrome) is a common summer disorder in Japan brought on by overzealous use of artificial cooling systems. Particularly vulnerable are those whose work involves little physical activity, such as female clerical staff dressed to suit the outside conditions. It also affects people regularly passing between the natural outside heat and artificial indoor chill, such as sales personnel.
Sayuri Kono, a clerical worker in her 20s, is a typical reibo-byo sufferer. After sitting in an air-conditioned room for 30 to 40 minutes, cold feet and hands are the least of her worries. Kono also suffers headaches, diarrhea, abdominal and lower back pains and menstrual disorders. "I rarely have such problems at other times of the year," Kono said.