JAPAN

I Long For Japanese Restrooms

By Yoko Spivey

“A restroom is a mirror that reflects the heart.” Most Japanese know this idea. I'm not sure if it’s because many Japanese people have some soft spot for restrooms and bathrooms and love to create comfortable atmosphere. When you enter elementary school in Japan, one of the things you learn is how to clean — the classroom, front and back entrances, stairs etc. … and the restroom. Cleaning continues until the end of high school. I’m guessing most public restrooms are clean because of that. Also, to spend time in the restroom comfortably, major Japanese electronics companies and household equipment manufacturers have developed bidet toilet. From that, many shopping malls, houses, newer apartment complexes, and offices have installed bidet toilet nowadays. My parents, who believe in the idea of clean restrooms, and my dad who likes clean restrooms and home appliances, ensured I grew up with clean restrooms with bidet toilet seats.

Because I grew up in such an environment, on my first visit to the United States, I was in shock when I entered one of the major American airlines’ lavatories. Ripped toilet paper was on the floor, sanitary trash and used papers were overflowing from the trash receptacles, water was splashed around the sink, and it smelled of urine. I had heard that Japanese restrooms are clean compared to the other countries, but I didn’t expect I would face it within a day of leaving Japan. Here I was standing in the chaotic restroom, realizing that was true, and my spoiled days were over. I didn’t feel comfortable using public restrooms in the U.S. during the visit. However, most of the homes which are my husband’s family and his friends’ that I visited during that visit had clean bathrooms, and they cleaned them to welcome the guests and it was quite comfortable.

I wondered why people in the U.S. keep bathrooms clean at home but not the public ones. Once in a while, I hear some Americans say, “Leave it. It is somebody else’s job.” or “You don’t want to take somebody’s job.” It is my speculation that kids in the U.S. are missing an opportunity of building moral fiber by cleaning their school restrooms. When Japanese kids leave from field trips, teachers tell students “Let’s keep everything cleaner than it was.” Sometimes teachers hold competitions to pick up trash. On the other hand, I heard students in the U.S. only clean their lockers. I remember my dad telling my sister and I to make it a habit to look back and check before we leave restrooms for the next person. I continue to clean toilets because it’s one of my times to feel grateful for what we have now such as being able to use clean flush toilets, having an abundance of water, and having water sewage facilities.

I like to feel cozy when I’m in the restroom. More than just being clean, if the restroom has some space or window, electronic bidet... it is even better. I’ve been living in the U.S. for a while, and I’ve been trying to keep the bathrooms clean and comfortable for myself and my family. When I sit on the cold toilet seat during the winter, I miss electrically heated seats the most. I also miss cool bidet features such as warm water, lid opening sensors, self-cleaning, and modern design toilets.