Two Japanese businesses are collaborating to create a "nap box" where people can sleep standing up in an effort to combat lengthy workdays and overwork.

In order to foster a healthy work environment, Itoki Corporation (a furniture expert) and Koyoju Gohan KK (plywood supplier), teamed up on Thursday to release the nap boxes in Japanese offices, Yahoo News reported.

The phrase "inemuri" – those who sleep during the day in order to slog through a lengthy commute or full workday – is frequently used to refer to employees in Japan.

The nap box, which is now in the design phase, will supposedly provide users with overall comfort in the head, knees, and rear to prevent the user from falling over as they sleep while standing up. Itoki's communications director, Kawashima Saeko, was hopeful that the pod would give workers, who want to take quick naps during workday, a healthier option.

"I don't think it's healthy, but a lot of people in Japan will lock themselves in the restroom for a while. It's preferable to sleep in a cosy environment," Kawashima told Bloomberg. "I believe that many Japanese individuals have a propensity for working nonstop. We are expecting that businesses will be able to use this (nap box) as a more flexible method of relaxation."

Price of the nap box and release date have not yet been determined.