Sharp has supplied the 'Palm Cooling +12°C Optimal Temperature Cooling Material' to Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) for use in heatstroke prevention during Shinkansen vehicle inspection work. Scene of JR Central using the 'Palm Cooling +12°C Optimal Temperature Cooling Material' (illustrative image) This product is a cooling pack sized to fit in the palm of the hand. By gripping the pack before and after physical activity, blood flowing through the palm is cooled, thereby lowering core body temperature from the inside. It maintains a higher temperature (+12°C) than conventional cold packs, reducing discomfort or pain from excessive coldness even with prolonged gripping (※1). The pack is reusable and can be refrozen by storing it in a freezer for over two hours or in ice water for over one hour (※2). Since August last year, JR Central has been conducting field trials with 750 units of a similar cooling pack. Additionally, between January and March this year, JR Central and Sharp jointly evaluated the heatstroke prevention effectiveness of this cooling material under simulated vehicle inspection conditions. Testing was conducted in a simulated environment facility at Sharp's Kashiwa Operations (Chiba Prefecture) set at 35°C, confirming the material's usefulness for efficient body cooling when held during breaks or before work. Based on the trial results and verification tests, JR Central has now introduced 100 units of this product. Combined with the 750 units introduced last year, a total of 850 units will be deployed across work sites, where they will be used to implement 'cooling breaks' and further strengthen heatstroke prevention measures. Going forward, Sharp will continue contributing to creating comfortable working environments through heatstroke prevention solutions. ■ Comment from JR Central Representative We conducted joint verification with Sharp on the effectiveness of body cooling under hot conditions. The tests, simulating inspection and main