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Letter From Tokyo
Big business and a flush of pride: Japan’s high-tech toilets are a life-changing soft power icon
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Tourists gather around one of two toilets, known for their transparent walls that turn opaque when the door is locked. These were designed by architect Shigeru Ban for The Tokyo Toilet project.
ST PHOTO: WALTER SIM
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TOKYO – Warm seating, the gentle massage of a pulsating spray of water, and the sounds of birds chirping or rhythmic ocean waves.
This is no spa sanctuary, but a Japanese high-tech toilet that in many ways is the epitome of the nation’s innovativeness, sense of hygiene, and public consciousness. The soundtrack, while a momentary break from the daily hustle, masks the call of nature.
