Summer heatwave sees Japanese men discover parasols for protection and pleasure – but still ask their wives to do the buying
I was hesitant at first because not many men were using them, says one new ‘parasol man’, who has since discovered a whole new world of enjoyment amid Japan’s scorching summer temperatures. He is not alone
Parasols – normally regarded as items used by women – are proving to be increasingly popular with men in Japan, as dangerous heatwaves continue to grip the nation.
They have been attracting attention in recent years as a means of protection against the sun, but this summer sales of those for men have been rapidly rising amid the scorching heat, according to store officials.
“I think the extreme heat is winning over men’s embarrassment [of using them],” said a person related to the parasol industry.
Last year, officials of the Saitama prefectural government launched a group to promote the use of parasols among Japanese men. Members of the group use parasols during their commutes and for other activities.
Saitama, a prefecture north of Tokyo, includes Kumagaya, one of the hottest cities in the country. It shattered the nation’s record temperature on July 23 when the mercury hit 41.1 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit).
“I was hesitant at first because not many men were using them,” said Noriaki Fukuhara, 51, who recently made his debut as a higasa danshi (parasol man) – a term showing signs of catching on as a 2018 buzzword. He said that since he started using one, “a pleasant world has opened up for me”.
