世論 What Japan Thinks

Despite being beaten to the punch by Japan Probe regarding a survey published by Matsushita Electrical Works (the company behind the National brand) on toilet usage, I’ll publish regardless the full details of their recent survey.

Demographics

During June 2007 1,036 married couples aged between 30 and 59 living in either the Kanto (around Tokyo) or Kansai (around Osaka) regions completed an internet-based questionnaire.

Today’s new Japanese phrase is 座りション, suwari-shon, and abbreviation of suwari-shouben, which translates as sitting pee. The usual phrase, 立小便 or 立ション, tachi-shouben or tachi-shon refers more usually to standing outside and urinating in public places. Indeed, I see far too often in Japan signs like the one above requesting the public not to do their business around this point. The red torii gate in the sign is to dissuade people by suggesting it would be sacreligious to relieve oneself on such a Shinto symbol. These anti-wee-wee wee red gates can be found in many places in Japan; coincidentally, when I went to visit Hampton Court near London, the palace of Henry the Eighth, I saw that round the banqueting hall crosses were painted around the skirting board to stop revellers relieving themselves. So, in one aspect at least, one can say that Japanese manners are still quite mediaeval!

I was going to have a poll here, but Japan Probe is ahead of me there too!
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With the recent negative news breaking regarding TOTO toilets going up in smoke, let’s look at the more positive side of Japanese toilets through a survey published by goo Rankings on what function or service people are most happy to find in public restrooms. The survey was conducted between the 22nd and 24th of February 2007, but no more demographic information is available, although looking at the results it is perhaps a mainly female audience who completed the survey. Note that the score column has 100 points for the top vote getter, and for the other entries the score is the percentage of the top’s vote total that that entry received.

The first time I experienced the top ranking warm toilet seat it was a strangely disconcerting feeling, as to that point warmth was associated with someone else having recently used said loo, but now I love the feature, and my toilet at home also has a cloth cover for even more soothing comfort on the chilly nights.

Number four, also known in Japanese by the brand name “Oto Hime”, or “Sound Princess“, plays a wee tune to cover up the plops and splashes as one does one’s business. I saw my first only two weekends ago in a small cafè; I really wanted to press the button, but we were the only customers and the owner is a friend of my wife’s family, so I just couldn’t.
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