The New Essential for Men: 44% of Japanese Men Use This Item

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Survey via Official App
Over 50% of Men in Their 20s and 30s Use Parasols

A recent survey found that 44% of men in Tokyo used parasols during the record-breaking heatwave.

According to reports from the Mainichi Shimbun and Nikkei on October 6, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government conducted a survey via its official app from September 9 to 23, targeting 4,000 men and 4,000 women (based on respondents). The results showed that 44% of men said they used parasols this summer. By age group, more than 50% of men in their 20s and 30s used parasols, and even among those in their 50s, the usage rate reached 39%. While this is still relatively low compared to the 91% of women who used parasols, the results clearly indicate a significant shift in the traditional perception that parasols are exclusively for women.

On July 23, when a heatwave warning was issued, citizens were walking while wearing sunshades at Dongdaegu Station Plaza. Photo by Yonhap News

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government analyzed that the extreme heat this year led to a sharp increase in parasol use among men. On August 5, Japan experienced its highest temperature ever recorded, with the city of Isesaki in Gunma Prefecture reaching 41.8 degrees Celsius. This year, the entire country suffered from more severe heatwaves than usual.

Meanwhile, in South Korea, parasols have also emerged as a "survival item" during this summer's heatwave. This is because using a parasol when going outside can reduce the perceived temperature by up to 10 degrees Celsius.

In July, the Korea Meteorological Administration sent an official notice to city and provincial offices of education nationwide, including a "Parasol Use on the Way Home from School" campaign card news, urging them to encourage students to use parasols during heatwave conditions. Around the same time, Daegu City launched a campaign with the slogan "Parasol ON, Heatwave OFF," encouraging citizens to use parasols on their way to work.

In fact, parasols are highly effective in preventing heat-related illnesses. According to data released in 2018 by the Seoul Institute, an affiliate of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, using a parasol while outside can lower the perceived temperature by up to 10 degrees Celsius. Experiments by Japan's Ministry of the Environment also showed that walking with a parasol for 15 minutes reduced sweat production by about 17% compared to wearing only a hat. This is because parasols block sunlight, preventing the skin temperature from rising during extreme heat.

In addition, parasols block ultraviolet rays, helping to prevent not only heat-related illnesses but also skin diseases and hair loss. While sunscreen typically lasts only about two hours, research shows that parasols can block up to 99% of UV rays. For maximum effectiveness, it is recommended to choose a parasol with a white exterior to reflect sunlight and a black interior to block radiant heat from the ground. To prepare for unpredictable weather, it is also advisable to use parasols that are waterproof and have UV-blocking coatings, so they can function as umbrellas during sudden rain.