A host of parasols were given out to men Wednesday in a Japanese prefecture where the nation's highest-ever temperature was recorded last month, as a gift from a Tokyo umbrella maker at a time when many areas have been grappling with dangerous heatwaves.

Saitama Prefecture near Tokyo, whose city of Kumagaya logged a record 41.1 C on July 23, has been promoting the use of parasols, traditionally only used by women, among men as well to beat heatstroke and heat exhaustion.

"It makes a real difference," said Saitama Gov. Kiyoshi Ueda when he held up in the sun one of the 70 foldable parasols given to the prefecture.

Yasuo Wakabayashi, the president of the umbrella maker, Aurora Co., said sales of parasols for men have doubled from last year.

The gift of parasols came amid recent searing temperatures in the country. In the week starting July 16, there were 65 heat-related deaths and over 22,000 people taken to hospitals.

The prefecture said the parasols will be used by male municipal officials in eight Saitama cities and that it will analyze how effective they are in protecting against the sun.

It added the outcome of the analysis will be released on its website.

(Record 41.1 C logged in Kumagaya on July 23)

Last year, the prefecture saw some 2,800 people, including 1,000 adults, taken to hospital for heat-linked illnesses. About 70 percent of the adults were men.

In the face of the heavy toll on men, some 20 male Saitama prefectural government officials formed a group of "higasa danshi" (parasol men) and started using parasols during their commutes and for activities to counter the common perception that they are for women.

Membership has since grown to 100, and the group launched an official Twitter account this July to share information online.