KITAKYUSHU: As Japan plays number to a record influx of tourists, one of the country’s more secret attractions– the higher- tech toilet– is becoming a must- had in luxury bathrooms worldwide.
With their comfortable seats and efficiency apply systems, shower toilets are the rule in Japan, where more than 80 percent of homes have one, according to a government survey.
Sales are now rising globally, particularly in the United States, thanks to A-list toilet fans like Drake, the Kardashians, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
TOTO, a pioneer of electric bidets that it claims have sparked” a global revolution from wiping to washing,” reports that toilets overseas have generated roughly double their revenue from 100 billion yen ($ 673 million ) in 2012.
A major contributor to the crisis was the need for a home renovation growth as well as germ-conscious consumers looking for a toilet paper alternative after panic-buyers cleared the shelves.
Top TOTO professional Shinya Tamura, who oversees global company, told AFP the company’s growth has been a word- of- mouth success.
When people initially learn how the toilet ‘ water jets work, with pressure and temperature regulates,” there’s an image that it’s not nice”.
But” we ca n’t explain how good it is with words. You need to experience it”, Tamura said.
” After a while, most users ca n’t live without it”.
The company’s net international sales of housing equipment are currently lower than a third of those in Japan.
To “establish a solid position” there and counteract less pressing demand in China, it wants to increase sales in the Americas by 19 percent over the course of two years.
However, as more people are looking for a squeaky clean bum, US competitors are vying for the throne against TOTO and its Japanese rivals Panasonic and LIXIL.
” Best toilet ever”
The marketing manager of US brand Kohler described its Numi 2.0, which takes spoken instructions via an in-built Amazon Alexa, as” the smartest toilet that exists” at a major tech fair in Las Vegas this year.
The Numi 2.0 has an automatic deodorizer and a motion-activated lid that opens when you enter the bathroom and closes when you leave, just like top-end Japanese models.
Users can adjust the warm-air dryer in minute details thanks to its spray wand’s oscillating and pulsating functions.
But such pampering comes at a price: around$ 8, 500 to$ 10, 000, compared to around$ 500 for more basic bidet seats.
According to a salesperson at Ardy’s Bath Collection in Beverly Hills, Americans who travel to Japan are frequently inspired to upgrade their toilet.
” They see it in the airport, and they see it in public restrooms, and they use it, and they’re like,’ wow, this is great,'” he said.
Bidets are “popular everywhere” but it’s still a “private experience” and “weird to talk about” for some customers.
Although trendy Japanese toilets are quickly gaining popularity, TOTO’s executives have long fought prudence when attempting to expand abroad.
After the US launch of its Washlet bidet in 1986, the firm struggled to place advertisements, and its pop- up event was kicked out of a high- end mall because other stores complained.
‘ Does it hurt?’
