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70% of Japanese Youths Use Public Toilets, But Have Negative Image of Them Depending on Location (2) [2021年07月28日（Wed）]
 Do you feel that public toilets are a fitting expression of the omotenashi concept of Japanese hospitality? The Nippon Foundation’s survey on public toilets clearly showed that although restrooms in Japanese parks and along footpaths are free and close at hand, the reality is not everyone feels able to use them with peace of mind. Local governments are charged with cleaning and maintaining public bathrooms in parks and along footpaths in Shibuya and other municipalities and the poll found that about six in 10 young Japanese (57.9%) agree. On the other hand, some young Japanese believe that these toilets should be cleaned and maintained by local volunteers (4.8%) or local residents (2.9%) on the ground that locals are the ones who use them most frequently. Asked whether public toilets are a fitting expression of the Japanese concept of hospitality known as omotenashi, or selfless hospitality, Japanese young were divided with 31.9% answering yes, 27.1% no and 41% don’t know. As reasons for answering yes, almost eight in 10 (79.0%) said many restrooms can be used for free by anyone, followed by those who said that they are kept clean (58.9%), they are always stocked with toilet paper (37.9%), and they are equipped with features such as wash function and noise reduction (36.7%). Reasons for answering no are that many restrooms are not kept clean (71.2%), exteriors are sometimes not inviting (36.9%) and the morals of users who do things like soiling the toilet or stealing toilet paper are questionable (30.3%). The survey showed again how important it is to always keep public toilets, especially those in parks and along footpaths, clean and inviting for users. Under THE TOKYO TOILET project, maintenance of the toilets is being carried out under a three-party agreement concluded by The Nippon Foundation, the Shibuya City government and the Shibuya City Tourism Association. I believe continuing careful and thorough maintenance efforts will encourage more people to use public toilets and foster a spirit of omotenashi for the next person. The findings of the survey reinforced my hope and expectation of what the project can achieve. For this survey, “public toilets” are defined as toilets in department stores, movie theaters, and other commercial facilities, those in train and subway stations, in parks and along footpaths, in convenience stores, in restaurants, in hospitals, and in roadside rest areas. (End) |