(UPDATE) TOKYO — Japanese toilet giant TOTO has launched a service allowing those caught short in public to locate the nearest washrooms and see how busy they are real-time with a phone and quick-response (QR) code.
Like other countries, Japan struggles with managing long lines outside public toilets, particularly for women, in its teeming train stations and other places., This news data comes from:http://vbnrftv.redcanaco.com
The system launched this month by TOTO — famous for its water-spraying, musical toilets — links consumers up with existing internet-connected facility management systems.
This was developed to automatically notify facility staff if a particular cubicle is dirty or occupied for an unusually long time.
Now users can scan a QR code with their mobile phones to access a website showing restroom locations and live congestion levels.
“In addition, a QR code inside a restroom stall brings you to a website where a user can report problems, like being unable to flush or something broken,” TOTO spokesman Tasuku Miyazaki told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Thursday.
The service is multilingual and available in English, Chinese and Korean.
The government is also trying to relieve the problem of long lines for women, with the transport ministry seeking extra funds in the budget for the coming fiscal next year.
Need to pee? Japan has QR code for that
These will be used to set up digital signage displays and movable toilet walls that can increase the number of stalls for women, local media reported.
- La Niña may return but temperatures will remain high, UN says
- Pacifist Japan struggles to boost troops as China anxiety grows
- Filipino member of AHOF K-pop group says Manila concert a dream come true
- ERC amends net-metering rules to expand renewable energy options
- Vico Sotto could challenge VP Sara in 2028 race – survey
- 3 Luzon dams release water
- Widespread flooding in Quezon City due to heavy rains, stranding commuters, rendering most roads impassable to vehicles
- House party leaders want to return proposed 2026 budget to Executive
- Putin ready to invade other countries, says Polish president
- UP journalism professor chides Rep. Gomez over ‘media spin’ claims
