Doctors warn of economy class syndrome risk after sleeping in cars during earthquakes

A Japanese outlet conducted a two-night test of heat relief products for sleeping in a car, using items from Muji and Nitori costing up to 5000 yen. On the first night at 33°C, the cabin temperature dropped to 25°C by morning; on the second night at 40°C, it stayed above 30°C. The test concluded that pre-cooling the cabin with air conditioning is essential, and that sleeping in a car should be avoided during extreme heat due to heatstroke risk.

According to the Kumamoto Prefecture Disaster Response Headquarters, as of 6 a.m. on January 30, about 10,000 people from 4,000 households were staying in approximately 400 designated evacuation centers across 30 municipalities. However, these figures do not include those sleeping in vehicles or sheltering at home, and the actual number of affected people is believed to be higher. In heavily damaged areas such as Hikawa Town and Uki City, schools and disaster prevention centers that would normally serve as shelters were themselves damaged by the earthquake and power outages, delaying their opening.

Following the July 28, 2026 earthquake in Kumamoto, many residents are sleeping in their cars. Doctors warn of the risk of economy class syndrome, which can be fatal. Recommendations include reclining seats, getting out every few hours to move legs, and staying hydrated.

Rocky 2 showcased its Mountain Village camper conversion of a popular minivan at the Tokyo Camping Car Show 2026. The vehicle is designed for both everyday driving and comfortable sleeping inside. The event took place on July 11–12, 2026 at Tokyo Big Sight.

Miri Kyodera, who survived the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and lived in a car with her dog for about two months, shared her experience of electricity shortage. She noted that food and water can be stockpiled or received as aid, but electricity does not arrive immediately during a blackout. In 2016, she bought an Anker PowerHouse portable power station and has been running a specialized blog on portable power since 2018, testing over 90 devices.

A day after a magnitude 7 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture, the city of Yatsushiro (intensity 6+) reported numerous collapsed houses. Many residents are sleeping in cars due to the heat in evacuation centers without air conditioning. Roads near the epicenter are buckled, power and water are cut, and gas stations and convenience stores are closed. Authorities warn of heatstroke and economy class syndrome among those staying in vehicles.