Russian-born Japanese broadcaster Kobara Brass urged subway passengers to stop using handheld portable fans during a current heat wave [1].
The request has sparked a public debate over the balance between individual comfort and collective etiquette on crowded public transport. As temperatures reach around 40 °C [1], the use of personal cooling devices has become common among commuters in Tokyo.
Brass said that the wind generated by these fans can blow sweat-laden, unpleasant air onto other passengers [1]. He said that the strong wind directed toward another person's face is a source of significant stress and is comparable to blowing breath directly onto someone [1].
"Please turn off your handheld fans on the subway," Brass said. "The unpleasant wind from the evaporated sweat on your face flies straight to me next to you" [1].
The comments, reported by Yomiuri TV on Aug. 25 [1], have divided public opinion. Some commuters agree that the airflow from portable fans can be intrusive in the cramped quarters of a subway car. Others argue that such devices are essential for health and safety when facing extreme summer heat.
This clash highlights a recurring tension in Japanese society between the desire for personal relief and the cultural emphasis on avoiding nuisance to others. While handheld fans are widely available and used, there are few formal rules governing their use on public transit [1].
Brass continues to advocate for a change in behavior to reduce the stress levels of passengers during the peak of summer. He said that the perceived comfort of one person should not come at the expense of another's sensory environment [1].
“"Please turn off your handheld fans on the subway."”
This controversy reflects the ongoing negotiation of social norms in Japan as technology and climate change intersect. The debate over handheld fans is less about the devices themselves and more about 'meiwaku' — the cultural concept of avoiding causing trouble or annoyance to others — in an era of increasingly extreme weather conditions.
