Are there cicadas in Japan?

Different cicada species emerge at different times of the year, but the majority of them are active during the summer. The best website for the cicadas of Japan that I’ve come across is Cicadae in Japan which is run by Y. Saisho who co-wrote the amazing The Cicadidae of Japan book & CD.

What do Japanese people think of cicadas?

Japanese people think of cicadas as a symbol of the summer.” Cicadas — known as semi in Japanese — are a superfamily of insects with around 2,000 known species worldwide, around 35 of which live in Japan. Although cicadas are most common in areas with tropical climates, they can be found as far north as Hokkaido.

Why do Japanese cicadas sound hollow?

The hollow cicada shell is meant to express emptiness.” The call of cicadas can often be heard on TV shows and anime. According to Aida, the sound serves as a shorthand method of conveying the atmosphere of the Japanese summer to audiences. “Japanese summers are not clear or refreshing,” he says.