Summary
Japan is moving up in the world again, they have taken the meaning of portable to a whole new level, with the introduction of "toilet paper" for smartphones inside toilets at Narita International Airport. Users are invited to pull off a piece of paper from a dispenser next to the regular toilet roll and give their phone screens a germ-busting polish. The telecoms company behind the invention NTT Docomo says that this trial shall remain in place until March. The cleaning paper which bears the message "welcome to Japan" comes as studies show that smartphone screens typically house more germs than toilet seats. Survey's have shown that foreign visitors to Japan are incredibly impressed with the cleanliness and versatility of Japan's public toilets, toilets are serious business in Japan. In some women’s public lavatories, users can call on assistance from the sound princess – a gadget that produces loud flushing sounds on demand to cover up any embarrassing noises associated with answering the call of nature.
Key Statistics
- The smartphone sheets were installed in 86 cubicles at Narita's arrival hall this month
My Opinion
When I first read this story I thought it was really weird that smartphones and toilets were in the same sentence. However, when I actually read the article that attitude completely changed for me. Japan have taken the meaning of new and digital media to a whole new level in their own unique way. How many people can say that they ever thought of such an invention not many that I know for sure. Having said that when I keep reading this story I do wonder why toilets are such a big thing for Japan and why such an invention had to be put in the toilet cubicle rather than say outside in the main arrivals hall.
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