More than ten million visitors come annually to Japan from foreign countries. There are lots of attractions in Japan, but, according to a survey, the thing that most impressed tourists was Japanese toilets. Japanese toilets are equipped with functions that make it possible to warm up the seat, and to clean your bottom with warm water without using any paper. First time users may be embarrassed, but they soon come to like these amenities. Sometime ago, we carried out a survey of non-Japanese about their impressions of Japanese toilets. An American businessman who had stayed in Japan for a year said the following: “Japanese toilets are not only pleasant, but nowhere else in the world are there toilets that clean themselves with just a little water. I’m definitely buying one to take back with me when I return home.” A female student from Asia said, “I like the feature that produces the noise of flowing water at the push of a button when I’m using the toilet.” A device that only produces the sound of flushing is on sale and it seems that it sells well as a souvenir. A male tourist from Europe commented: “I’d heard about the reputation of Japanese toilets, but because it had so many buttons, I didn’t understand what they were for and, in the end, I used the toilet paper provided.” Though each icon button contains Japanese and English words, it still might be difficult for first time users. However, a fully automatic toilet that resolves all these problems has become available. An Australian man, who has used it said: “I was surprised when I entered the toilet: the seat lid automatically opened, a foot lamp switched on and music flowed.” But, after I finished I had a problem. I was trying to flush the water, but I could not find a lever or a button. There was nothing I could do, so, feeling sorry for the next user, I left the toilet, just then, the water automatically began to flow.” I thought that Japan ought to advertise the Japanese toilet experience as a highlight of Japan’s sightseeing attractions. (From March issue, 2014 / 2014年3月号より）