Water

Country Water Action: Japan
Toilet Taboos Down the Drain
September 2007

The phenomenal transformation of toilets in Japan—from the humble squat latrines of a few decades ago to today’s modern restrooms equipped with hi-tech contraptions—is very much like the country’s dramatic rise from post-war ruin to global technological leadership. Discover how this transformation parallels an evolution in people’s attitude towards “toilet talk.”

Contents Lavatory Lessons Tranformational Toileting Top Toilet Technologies Restroom Revolution

In earlier years, taboo-ridden attitudes towards bodily functions have determined that the toilet must be tucked away in a discrete corner or outhouse. This is no longer the case today.

“The Japanese have realized that the old-fashioned custom of avoiding discussions on toilets and bathrooms only resulted in dirty outhouses. Today, in Japanese homes, the toilet is a place of pride,’’ said Koo Ue, Secretary General of the Japan Toilet Association (JTA), a networking and consulting body for many national and international groups, organizations, and companies involved in sanitation and toilet issues.

The JTA runs seminars and workshops linking clean latrines to high health standards. An important part of this ongoing education program was inaugurating 10 November as Japan Toilet Day. Water conservation, sanitation, hygienic practices, and even the environmental costs of toilet paper, are given importance on this day. Koo Ue points out that the program helps ease the embarrassment that Japanese have in talking about toilets. It also contributes to public awareness on sanitation and better hygiene habits.

For example, lessons on how the sewage system works, how it safely disposes waste, are now part of new toilet education programs in schools. This year’s “Toilet Day” will focus on building more flush toilets in tourist spots.

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Such a change in public attitude towards toilets has not come about without hard work. Atsushi Kato, an expert in sanitation who has long promoted better toilet standards in the country, says the rapid development of flush toilets began with the rise of the economy in the 1970s and 1980s.

“The Japanese economy was growing at that time and people were able to buy better household goods such as refrigerators and washing machines. It was also the time when we worked to convince the government to improve sanitation facilities, such as increasing drainage outlets and providing access to water for more flush toilets in rural areas. Educating the public about this need was a big part of our success,” Atsushi explained.

Today, traditional Japanese toilets can only be found in rural areas and in some luxury hotels, where it can be difficult for foreign guests to discover where the toilet is in Japanese-style suites. Using water for cleaning up after using the toilet was also not part of Japanese culture, Atsushi said, but once people learned of the advantages, they were eager to change.

The catching up has been swift. Koo Ue and others like him who promote flush toilets supported by sewage systems report impressive and rapid gains. Flush toilet usage in the country now stands at a respectable 88 percent, much higher than the weak figure of 50 percent just a decade ago, according to the Japan Sewage Association.

“The modern bathroom trends reflect the high respect that the Japanese have for clean, healthy lifestyles,” Koo Ue added.

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Alongside flushing mechanisms, Japanese toilets are now usually equipped with seat warmers, bidet functions, and a bewildering array of user-pampering gizmos such as water squirters and blow-driers that make toilet paper obsolete.

A major toilet maker, Toto Ltd, is a front runner in the industry. The latest designs of smart toilets, called the “Z series,” combine the now standard bidet-toilet with new technology that can electronically deliver health-related data.

“The latest Toto toilet, which can take blood pressure and perform urine analysis, is extremely popular with new home owners and luxury hotels,” says Chino, spokesperson for Daiwa Homes, a leading housing company.

Hi-tech toilets, though priced between US$3,500 and US$5,000 plus hefty installation charges, do not deter new home owners. Chino contends that the trend shows just how far the toilet has gained in respectability.

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Yet, despite the new technologies, some 30 percent of Japanese people still live in homes that do not have flush toilets connected to sewage systems, according to the Ministry of Construction.

One of the barriers to achieving 100 percent coverage, says Atsushi, is convincing the government to spend more on sanitation facilities in rural areas where the population is small and made up of older people who prefer the outmoded outhouses. Data show that flush toilet usage in rural area is still at a poor 54 percent.

However, the overall success of the flush toilet in Japan has encouraged the JTA to begin work on promoting the concept in developing countries. According to Koo Ue, JTA programs in countries such as Zambia and Sri Lanka, concentrate on raising awareness in local communities and encouraging people to build their own toilets. The involvement of Japanese volunteers is a highlight of these programs.

Koo Ue says that, like the Japanese before their flush toilet revolution, people in many developing countries harbor a lack of respect for the toilet. But once changed, this new mindset could contribute greatly to higher sanitation standards.