PROMOTION WOMEN WITH WORLD'S FIRST SELF-HEATING JACKET IN TOKYO, 1997-12-24 (photo)

Matsushita Electric promotion woman Kazumi Tamamoto (L) checks a gas fuel cartridge of the world's first catalytically-heated sportswear Mobile Thermo, insulated sportswear with its own heating system, as colleague Satomi Kuwayama drapes the jacket over her shoulders at the company's Tokyo office December 24. In the system, air and isobutane-propane compound are combined with a catalyst, causing a chemical reaction creating heat. The heater unit weighs 495 grammes and is rigged to an inner detachable vest. The jacket, which the Swiss national team has ordered for the Winter Olympics in Nagano, will be sold as prototypes in February 1998 for 88,000 (about US$ 680). JAPAN