The Japanese manufacturer did not imagine sales to be this brisk but because of the power crisis now being experienced throughout Japan, sales had been up this month.

Reports from AFP and local dailies said it seems Kuchofuku Co Ltd - whose name literally means 'air-conditioned clothing', could not meet the soaring demand, but has kept producing for the sweltering summer months made more difficult by the low electricity supply because most prefectures had deemed it necessary to deactivate the nuclear power plants.

AFP said consumers in Japan are now opting for more guilt-free respites from the unrelenting summer heat as they turn off their huge nuclear power plants because of the danger they pose for residents.The radiation leak at the Fukushima PRefecture since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami had not been fully controlled by government authorities and the power plant management.

How does the jacket work

Two electric fans in the jacket can be controlled to draw air in at different speeds, giving the wearer a rather big, puffed up demeanor. Nevertheless, some are undeterred by how they look so long as they keep cool no matter what fashion they are wearing.

"I work in a very hot place and have to wear long sleeved outfits, so I came over to buy this to stay cool and to prevent heat stroke," said Ryo Igarashi, 33, in an interview with AFP, as he left the Kuchofuku office after buying an air-conditioned jacket.

Igarashi said the clothing offers him relief at hot construction sites where he, coincidentally, installs air conditioners in buildings. Nearly 1,000 companies in Japan use Kuchofuku, including automobile giants, steelmakers, food companies and construction firms.

The company also manufactures air-conditioned beds.