Japanese Suit Protects Against Swine Flu

A Japanese menswear company is selling an "anti-swine flu" business suit that it says can reduce the risk of catching the H1N1 virus.

Haruyama Trading has developed a wool suit coated with titanium dioxide, which it says breaks down the virus molecules on contact under ultraviolet light, according to Reuters .

"If a person with the flu virus coughs, it might get on someone else's suit and from there, another person might get infected," Shinto Hirata, vice director of merchandising at Haruyama told Reuters.

"Small children might catch the virus after touching their father's suit. We came up with this idea to protect all businessmen and their families."

The suit, which also reduces odors such as cigarette smoke, will keep its anti-virus properties even after being dry cleaned more than 20 times, the company said.

Despite the added protection, the suit looks like other suits commonly worn by Japanese businessmen. It costs about $580 and comes in four colors and styles, including medium gray, charcoal, navy, and a gray pinstripe.

Protective clothing company Microguard offers tips on clothing that you can wear to protect you from swine flu and other viruses, and has a line of swine-flu protective clothing -- although it's not as stylish as the Haruyama suit.