I haven't seen toilet technology come too far in my lifetime, so I welcome anything that makes my "experience" that much better.

According to Matsushita, this john has a "comfortable sitting feeling," and apparently holds the title of the "industry's largest." There's a couple interesting features o­n this setup.

Matsushita Electric Works will release the "Shower Rain TRES," a toilet with integrated warm-water bidet, o­n September 10th. It is billed as having a "pleasent sitting sensation," and includes the industry's largest toilet seat. The cost is 241,500 yen.

In the company's "Investigation regarding Toilet Use," an unexpectedly large number of people (35% for men, 17% for women) responded that they "spend a long time" o­n the toilet, doing things such as reading books and magazines. Then, a formal diversified analysis regarding the toilet seat's "feeling sensation" was conducted, and the toilet seat has been enlarged based o­n the fundamental concepts of ergonomics. Apart from increasing the diameter (vertical direction) of the aperture by 5%, they have also widened the part where the thick of the thigh rests. This is said to be so that even if o­ne sits for a long time, their legs will not fall asleep.

The same study found that the proportion of men who "sit and piss" has increased to 30%, which is double the same figure 5 years ago. The reason for this is "to not soil the surroundings." o­n the TRES, the edge of the bowl has been thinned, and the aperture has been enlarged by 20% (area ratio) - allowing for men to easily piss whether they are standing or sitting.

Incidentally, of those males who "sit and piss," many were born in Kyuushuu and Okinawa there was also a high proportion of men who responded in this fashion that have wives born in Kansai. While the reason is unknown, Matsushita has said that "this is a finding of great interest."






Inspired by:
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/lifestyle/articles/0409/01/news119.html?pc30

Press Release:
http://www.mew.co.jp/press/0409/0409-1.htm