Need to catch some midday zzz's but there's no bed to be found? Leave it to the Japanese to come up with a quirky way to solve nap time woes with a wearable futon you can conveniently bring to the office.
King Jim is the Tokyo-based office supply company behind the bright blue outfit that lets you sleep even when on-the-go. The Wearable Futon Air Mat Set is made of nylon, polyethylene and polyester, and may be worn over your clothes or rolled up like a sleeping bag into the size of an A4 piece of paper.
The sleeves and legs of the adjustable coat can be folded up to suit the height of the wearer. Although it can supposedly be slept in comfortably on its own while being worn, the set also comes with an inflatable bed-slash-blanket for extra cushion.
When rolled up, the wearable futon is just roughly the size of an office printer and weighs 1.5 lbs., making it easy to store at the office, or carry around or wear when needed.
According to online reactions to the product, Japanese netizens have mixed views on the implications of the futon. Some say it will allow them to not worry about catching the last bullet train home since they can sleep at the office, while other say it will give employers more reasons to force their workers to pull all-nighters.
Others, however, have thought of other uses for the wearable futon that won't turn you into a mindless corporate slave. They can be distributed at emergency shelters, for example, in times of natural disasters when bed space is at a premium. Passengers stuck between flights at airports during hours-long layovers might be able to use the coat to sleep more comfortably at terminals, rather than laying directly on the hard floor or on uncomfortable, metal airport chairs.
"I might buy one of these when I go camping or have to sleep in my car," posted one intrigued potential customer.
The Japanese company sells the futon-coat for around 4,500 yen ($40) but no news if the product will be made available outside of Japan.
