Japanese Public Batrooms Japanse Features Society and Customs

Japanese Public Bathrooms Part 1

When you ask Japanese people whether they prefer Japanese-style or Western-style toilets, which do you think they would prefer?  

Japanese people are more likely to select the Japanese one (as shown in the picture above). Japanese-style toilets are more sanitary because people do not have to sit directly on the toilet seat. Even though sanitary devices, such as disinfectant lotion to clean the toilet seat, are available, Japanese people do not have to bother to use the device.

They only have to squat over the toilet bowl. Their preference for Japanese style makes some sense as long as you are comfortable with squatting. However, Westerners might not be as familiar with this practice and prefer Western-style toilets for the following reasons.

First, sitting on the Western-style toilet seat seems to be more comfortable. For example, if you have some physical disability, squatting is not easy because it requires more effort than sitting. Thus, it is quite puzzling that even big shopping malls don't have Western-style toilets furnished.

Second, in Japanese toilets, you are required to squat with your back facing the compartment door. You might feel very uncomfortable because you cannot move quickly in an emergency.

Finally, it may not be so easy to aim at the inside of the toilet bowl while keeping the posture of squatting. What if your body wastes don't land at the proper spot? What if your trousers or skirt get loose and then touch the toilet floor? Not the most sanitary thought, right?

Another post, Japanese public bathrooms part 2 might interest you as well.