Up to now, use of parasols has mainly been associated with those of the female persuasion and despots portrayed in Hollywood spectaculars.
But Japan is anticipating another steamy summer. One that may set new records for high temperatures, and Nikkan Gendai (May 30) wants its readers to survive it as best they can.
From 2005, the government's Environment Ministry initiated its "Cool Biz" campaign, aimed to reduce energy consumption. Between May to the end of September, the populace is also encouraged to dispense with neckties and suits, in exchange for open-necked shirts and other garments made of lightweight materials. Now the ministry is also advising people to make use of parasols, irrespective of gender.
For three consecutive years, Men's Rize, a nationwide chain of clinics specializing in treatment of baldness, conducted questionnaire surveys for 600 male patients from their teens to 49 years. One of the questions the subjects were asked was if they had ever seen a man walking about holding a parasol. In April of this year, 48.0% gave positive responses, a 12.5% increase from two years ago. This likely indicates that male resistance to utilizing parasols has been declining.
Actual parasol utilization, however, still appears relatively low. Only 7.5% of survey respondents said they intend to start using a parasol, up from 5.5% in 2023. Still, 56.0% of respondents said they were considering purchasing one in the future.
Masahiro Akazuka, head of the Men's Rize organization, cited an Environment Ministry report in 2020 that noted 70% to 80% of annual exposure to ultraviolet takes place between April and September.
"Even now, before the onset of the rainy season, is a good time to be utilizing a parasol," Akazuka said. "That will serve as an anti-aging measure to help ward off damage to the skin."
Between 1997 and 2010, the Meteorological Agency issued ultraviolet level estimates monitored at Sapporo, Tsukuba, Kagoshima and Naha. Compared with a factor of 100 during clear skies, ultraviolet falls to 30% on rainy days, but is still quite high -- 80 to 90 -- during periods of light cloudiness and around 60 on overcast days. So from April onwards, use of a parasol is justified even on cloudy days.
"By opening up a parasol, you create a large shady area around yourself," Dr Akazuka is quoted as saying. "That offers a benefit that no other measures can match."
Even on slightly cloudy days, parasols can cut ultraviolet radiation by 80 to 90%. More recently, new studies have been conducted concerning the efficacy of parasols, such as one by the Environment Ministry in 2018. In one experiment, parasols were lent out free of charge at two zoos, in Yokohama and Chiba, and a nature garden in Musasashino City. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WGBT) index, which comprehensively measures temperature, humidity, solar radiation and airflow, was measured in real time. Findings indicated that parasols reduced the ambient temperature by 1 to 3 degrees, sufficient to reduce the temperature risk factor by one level.
In experiments to gauge perspiration, under controlled conditions, male subjects were made to walk in a controlled environment set to 30 degrees with 50% humidity. The tests indicated that use of parasols can reduce perspiration by as much as 17% compared to a person wearing a hat.
Following Cool Biz recommendations to dispense with an upper garment, combined with use of a parasol, was found to reduce heat stress by 20% -- about double the effectiveness of wearing Cool Biz garments alone.
As opposed to ordinary umbrellas, parasols constructed with materials designed to cut ultraviolet rays are capable of reducing radiant heat by as much as 10 degrees.
What type should you buy? Nikkan Gendai notes that male-use or unisex models are available in a variety of prices and designs. The article added that compact folding models may be the best way to go, since they can also be pulled out of one's briefcase in the event of sudden heavy downpours that occur in June and July.
© Japan Today
50 Comments
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TaiwanIsNotChina
How about society get with it and ditch the suits and ties?
Roten
The city hall I work at has announced cool biz wear suitable all year round as of April 1 this year. Polo shirts are acceptable dress for both men and women.
Regarding parasols, it is entirely appropriate for both men and women to wear hats, which are much more handy than parasols. If the parasol manufacturers would work for more stylish and lightweight hats, perhaps this would obviate their need to try and market parasols for men.
bass4funk
Nothing wrong, but I’m not going to look like an idiot and walk around all day with that thing, if other guys want to do it, go for it.
wallace
Many men in Asian countries use umbrellas on very sunny days. What is the difference between using them on rainy days? Skin cancer cases are on the rise. I like the Japanese red paper parasols.
wallace
Samurai used handfans.
"The Japanese war fan, or tessen (Japanese: 鉄扇,てっせん, romanized: tessen, lit. '"iron fan"'), is a Japanese hand fan used as a weapon or for signaling. The samurai class of feudal Japan used several types of war fans, each with a different look and purpose."
wallace
Macho men prefer skin cancer.
Speed
Sorry, but I can't even count the number of men I see still wearing suits to work even in the summer.
They may have their neckties off but many are still carrying their jackets on their arms. None of them look happy or refreshed.
Something more like the Philippine barong or the Indonesian batik would be nice and cool.
Most of the time, white collar workers are inside buildings and don't spend that much time in direct sunlight. Probably around twenty to thirty minutes of direct sunlight at the most. Don't need no parasol.
Desert Tortoise
A wide brim floppy hat is a better solution IMHO, other than what it does to your hair if you wear it for any length of time. It leaves your hands free. I'll sometimes use an umbrella in the rain if my wife insists but it is generally more trouble than it's worth. Hats just work better for me.
Desert Tortoise
Where I live 15 minutes in the direct noon day summer sunlight will give you a serious and painful sunburn.
Mocheake
Not a chance. Already dark naturally, I have started getting my yearly dark summer tan going. Plus, a man carrying a parasol is, well, you know what I mean.
wallace
The country with the highest number of skin cancer cases.
"Australians are at the highest risk of skin cancer, with around 37 cases of melanoma of skin per 100,000 population in 2020, according to data from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) International."
Anonymous
Don’t worry. I won’t call you an idiot but I may pull a Donald Sutherland a la “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”. (In truth, I use one but then I have only one arm with which to walk a beautiful woman. Yes, there is a downside.)
Hawk
Two words: Bucket. Hat.
bass4funk
Ok, so you carry a man umbrella and you can still get other forms of cancer or sicknesses either way, I am good on the umbrella, no thanks.
Anonymous
You haven’t recently watched “My Fair Lady” by any chance?
My 2-meter diameter MACHO MAN TECHNO-SHADER ® is steel-rimmed with retractable blades to deal with annoying sidewalk hogs.
wallace
Of course, men use large umbrellas on the golf course.
wallace
120-130 million umbrellas are sold in Japan every year. Most will end up in landfills. I buy good ones that last for many years.
Gene Hennigh
I've never quite understood men being self-conscious about using umbrellas. When it's hot I cover my head. I use hats most of the time, but to keep the sun out of my eyes and to create plenty of shade I almost as often use an umbrella. I don't care what people think and I've never been made fun of by anyone or asked why I do.
1glenn
The first time I went to Honolulu I was impressed by seeing businessmen wearing sandals with their business suits. Very practical. Ditching the suits for something cooler sounds good, as well.
Instead of a parasol, I prefer a wide brimmed hat. Personal preference.
1glenn
I wouldn't buy a parasol if I were given one for free!
Gene Hennigh
Uh, if someone gives you a free parasol you aren't paying for it. But if someone gives you one, keep it and use it when it's necessary. It seems to me that there are times when an umbrella is more effective than a hat. I use hats more than I do umbrellas, but there are times when I feel the need for the extra covering. Maybe I'm more susceptible than others to sunlight in my eyes but being able to move that umbrella around to block it really helps. Thumbs up though for the joke.
starpunk
Yes, this is 2024. Not 1955.
Just like I said. How along ago was that movie? This ain't the 60's either.
I'm not going to either. I'd feel like a dufus geek. I'm sick and tired of these media gods and fashion police trying to tell me how to look, how to live, how to think, what to watch on TV, what music to listen to, etc.
I don't care if anyone else carries a parasol but don't force feed that crap. I'm a human being, not a robot or a clone. Besides, parasols by their wideness are a nuisance.
When I saw the total solar eclipse at my local zoo this past April, I saw one family whose son was carrying a small parasol, for whatever reason. Did some trendsetting media god tell him to?
I'm not buying it. I'll just tell these fashion police and trendsetters where to put it.
1glenn
On the subject of fashion police.....I get a kick out of being a trendsetter.
About half a century ago we drove through Mexico. (Had a wonderful time. The food was even better than what we ate in Europe.) The point is that I wore men's shorts most of the time, because being from California, that is what I am used to wearing when it is hot. But everywhere we went in Mexico the men looked at me and smirked. None of the men were wearing shorts.
Fast forward a few years, and these days most men in Mexico wear shorts when it is hot outside. Can't know for sure, but I like to think my little act of common-sense/rebellion influenced how Mexican men now dress.
1glenn
On the subject of masculinity.......My hands don't work as well as they used to, so I noticed that I can't use chop sticks, and I tend to drop my food down the front. Picked up some bibs. One of them says "Real men wear bibs." Gets lots of chuckles when we go out, and my shirts stay stain free. When I was young men used bibs much more than they do now. No idea why they went out of style. Very practical.
virusrex
And sunblockers as well, they may not help with the heat, but definetely will cut on the risk for skin cancer, the best part is that people can use them with parasols (or hats, etc.) for full protection without any problem.
wallace
In the summer I don't leave home without applying sun barrier cream.
kibousha
If you a man tie your "manhood" to whether you put up a parasol or get skin cancer, I have a suggestion. I have my wife opens up a parasol and walk next to her, "manhood not hurt" and avoid skin cancer, one bird two stones!
GillislowTier
I mean if your out in the sun on a cloudless day for a particularly long time. Go for it
Raw Beer
I try to avoid prolonged sun exposure around noon in summer, but I also try to maximize sun exposure the remainder of the time. Sun exposure does provide benefits in addition to vitamin D.
starpunk
And on the subject of the eclipse, that day was sunny but it certainly wasn't hot. Most of us wore jackets or sweatshirts that afternoon, and the temperature actually dropped as the sun got 'darker'. So once again, why did that that kid carry a parasol around?
Ooooih, the master Yoda told me too. Just because. Uh-huh.
And that's the problem with America today.
tora
Just use your umbrella, as it is. It will work all seasons.
1glenn
On the subject of parasols/umbrellas......
we went to museum in Tarquinia, Tuscany, Italy, which had many Etruscan artifacts. One of those things on display, from about 800 BC, was a parasol/umbrella. The soft parts had disintegrated, but the skeleton of the thing was still intact. A number of tombs were found and excavated starting in the latter part of the 1800s, and my guess is that the parasol was found in a tomb. The museum was dedicated to artifacts found in the tombs.
It just gobsmacked me to think that people had invented and were using parasols/umbrellas almost 3,000 years ago. Since that part of Italy gets lots of sunshine, it is very possible that the original owner used it for sun protection.
By the way, the area where the tombs are located is in a beautiful place, a hillside overlooking the ocean. Clearly humans have appreciated beautiful scenery for a very long time. Judging by some of the absolutely amazing statutory the Etruscans left behind, they had no shortage of artistic talent.
Redemption
How about a Texas cowboy hat. Much more stylish and manly.
wallace
Redemption
The Japanese will just laugh at you.
wallace
Today having lunch on the beach I was glad to have an umbrella for the sun and to take photos with my iPhone.
NCIS Reruns
This morning I spotted two-way (rain and sun) folding umbrellas for sale in my local 7-Eleven, priced at around ¥1,500. Unfortunately they are only 55cm diameter, which is not really suitable for a six-footer such as yours truly. I generally need 65cm minimum, and prefer 70cm when I can find it.
factchecker
Not required. Lose the suit, wear a hat, put sunscreen on. It's not difficult.
gcFd1
No they don't.
That's the point of the article.
wallace
There are many men in other Asian countries using umbrellas.
wallace
Japan and the rise of the male parasol
Aug. 18, 2013
https://japantoday.com/category/features/lifestyle/japan-and-the-rise-of-the-male-parasol
gcFd1
It's the opposite.
Did you read the article?
kohakuebisu
Second highest is Israel. As with Australia, insert your own comment about European settler colonialism.
kohakuebisu
Where I come from, men don't use an umbrella when its raining, let alone one when it is sunny. Its not manly to wear a coat on nights out, even when it is cold. People can develop funny ideas and customs.
I work at home, but wear a hat when I'm doing my garden. Its just about bearable now, but another couple of weeks and it will too hot to do much in the middle of the day.
Wesley
To get more Men to carry umbrellas, you need those umbrellas that have handles like a Samurai Sword or a Medieval sword handle.
They exist and can be found online.
Have to make umbrellas more masculine.
as_the_crow_flies
Fragile manhood alert!
There seem to be some truly weird ideas floating around on here today.
Real men play chicken with skin cancer? ?
Other people wondering about your sexuality is a problem for you??
Not getting cancer is a fashion decision ....???
Protecting yourself against skin cancer shows a lack of self-respect???
wallace
If people don't spend much time outdoors they are probably suffering from a lack of victim D.