Why do Japanese people sit on the toilet facing forward?
The problem with Japan’s high-tech toilets was the abundance of icons and buttons on the remote controls, which often confused foreign tourists. On the eve of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the Japanese government asked toilet manufacturers to standardize the symbols on smart toilet remote controls.
However, in Japan, in addition to advanced technologies, simpler devices have also been preserved: traditional floor bowls. They are often found in public places. Some toilets are equipped with Western-style (WS) and Japanese-style (JS) toilets.
Tourists face a dilemma when using Japanese-style toilets. It is impossible to sit fully on such toilets; one must take the “eagle” position and face the tank, and not the door, as is customary in other countries. This is indicated by special signs installed in the toilets.
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