Selection of My Fave Umbrellas

Governor Koike attended an event, titled “Selection of My Fave Umbrellas,” on September 25 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government No.1 Building to review this summer’s trend in sun umbrellas.

In the event held at the tower’s 45th-story observation deck, she was joined by Tanaka Masahiro, secretary general of the Japan Umbrella Promotion Association, Tsuchiya Hiroyuki, known as “Umbrella Sommelier,” comic entertainer Kintaro and actor Tozuka Junki.

“As people talked about the boiling heat this year, we even used the phrase ‘higasa danshi (parasol guys )’ to spread the appeal of sun umbrellas as a way to protect ourselves from the heat,” Governor Koike told the audience.

“I believe the number of ‘higasa danshi’ has significantly increased just because everyone experienced firsthand that using sun umbrellas can block the heat,” she said.

She added, “The metropolitan government has carried out a campaign to rent lend sun umbrellas mainly at metropolitan facilities, as well as a sun umbrella-sharing service at major stations on Japan Railway (JR) and private railway lines.”

“We want to establish the sun umbrella as a measure against the heat, and encourage people to choose an item that is comfortable to use as a daily necessity,” the governor said. “The metropolitan government for its part will always be ingenious in trying to protect your health. We will continue to support the sun umbrella as an essential item.”