Businesses in Japan are beating the drum for products to help people cope with this summer's hot weather, which is forecast to be as harsh as last year's.

Sales of small-sized fans are robust, surpassing those of 2023. Energy-saving air conditioners are also flying off the shelves. As the humid weather reaches its peak, items to prevent body odor are gathering attention.

At electronics retailer Bic Camera, sales of air conditioners, fans and circulators are climbing in tandem with the rising mercury. Electricity price hikes have made energy-saving products popular.

Miscellaneous retailer Hands saw its sales from March to mid-June of small electric fans that can be held in one hand increase 1.8-fold from the year before.

"Many people buy multiple fans with different designs to use them separately for work and for going out on holidays," a Hands official said.

Liberta, another retailer, released in late June clothes with special fibers that flexibly adjust the temperature of the textile to make the products feel cool against the skin. In an advance release online, the products sold out in about a week.

At department stores operated by Sogo & Seibu, items to address sticky skin and body odor are selling well.

Sales of perfumes and colognes in June were about 10% higher than a year earlier. Hair care items such as luxury shampoo scored growth of about 30%. Sunshade umbrellas are popular.

Also brisk are sales of cooling towels to put around the neck, made by Kao, and body cleaning wipes for men by Mandom.

Makers are working to be creative in coming up with ways to help people endure Japan's boiling summers.