A Japanese male netizen complained that holding an umbrella was referred to as the “umbrella man”! This kind of label is terrible and will make guys hesitant to use an umbrella!

On a scorching summer day, do boys choose to carry umbrellas when going out? This seemingly ordinary behavior has sparked quite a controversial topic in Japan. Many Japanese media outlets have given a special name to male umbrella users – “Umbrella Men.” The intention might have been to add some fun or promote this habit, but recently, this title has led to a significant amount of discussion among Japanese netizens.

Some people believe that such a term is not only unnecessary but could also cause men to develop a reluctance towards using umbrellas, leading them to be forced to give it up, which increases the risk of suffering from heatstroke or skin issues caused by UV radiation. Let’s take a look at what Japanese netizens think and feel about this phenomenon.

A Japanese user named “Satetsu” expressed strong dissatisfaction and criticism on social platform X about the term “sunshade man.” He pointed out that this term inadvertently reinforces gender stereotypes, implying that sunshades are exclusive to females, while men using sunshades are seen as following trends or being “different.”

He indignantly stated, “Why does using a sunshade have to come with the unnecessary title of ‘sunshade man’? As a result, men using sunshades would not only be viewed as engaging in a fashionable behavior but might also attract strange looks. Such a term would only make men less willing to use sunshades. Have you ever heard someone referred to as ‘air-conditioning man’ or ‘heater man’?”

This discovery has sparked a heated discussion among Japanese netizens. Some users have also expressed dissatisfaction, claiming they are already tired of such gendered terms. One user stated, “Whether male or female, if you want to use a sunshade, just use it. Why does this ordinary behavior have to be given a special name?”

Others humorously suggested, “Isn’t it better to just call it ‘sunshade humans’? Why must we differentiate by gender?”

Some netizens pointed out: “In such hot weather, using a sun umbrella should be an acceptable choice for everyone. Why complicate it?”

In fact, sun umbrellas have long been regarded as one of the accessories for women in Japan, so it appears rather unusual for men to use them.

However, this old notion has clearly begun to be questioned. Some netizens, who have always had an aversion to gender labels, joked, “If a man holding an umbrella can be called a ‘sun umbrella man,’ then shouldn’t a man who doesn’t use an umbrella be called a ‘UV man’?”

Others complained, “The culture of continually labeling people with sexualized tags really should come to an end! Terms like ‘〇〇 man’ and ‘〇〇 woman’ should have been left in the traditions of the last century. There’s nothing more unnecessary than this.”

Many netizens further discussed the issues behind this phenomenon. They believe that the consumer culture related to gender may create unnecessary pressure.

For example, when mentioning certain specific occupational attire, it has never been heard that people refer to those on construction sites wearing air-conditioned work clothes as “air-conditioned outfit men.” Similar examples are numerous. It can be seen that the term “sunshade men” indeed seems absurd—it not only lacks substantial meaning but also deepens the stereotypical association between everyday items and gender.

Some netizens have a more open-minded attitude: “In fact, ‘sun umbrella guy’ sounds quite cute, there’s no need to be angry about it.” Others share their views in a more pragmatic way: “Seeing a middle-aged man sweating profusely in the scorching heat does have a certain masculinity to it, but to be honest, if he could hold up a sun umbrella, it wouldn’t be a bad choice.”

It is worth noting that some men, although they have silently been holding up sun umbrellas, still do not want to be labeled for this behavior. One netizen humorously summarized: “Clearly, when it rains, everyone will naturally hold an umbrella, so why is it that when the sun is blazing down, no one thinks to use an umbrella for shade?”

There are also netizens who suggest that the popularization of sun protection awareness should not be restricted by gender differences; protecting skin health should not be equated with masculine traits.

This discussion about gender labeling has even spread to other contexts. Some have drawn connections to women previously referred to as “science girls,” who also feel troubled by such gendered labels. Many find this way of categorizing to be frustrating and believe that a culture of excessive gender differentiation is inherently unnecessary; whether it is a parasol or other items, the right to use them should belong to everyone.

Obviously, simple life behaviors have evoked different views due to their special designations, making one reflect on whether society’s excessive interpretation of daily behaviors is necessary. Perhaps it is time to change our perspective, allowing “using a sun umbrella” to be as commonplace as “using a rain umbrella,” naturally becoming everyone’s choice. To all male readers, will you give up using a sun umbrella for fear of others’ opinions? Or will you embrace the wisdom of summer sun protection without a care?