The problem is real exposure. Let's assume a toilet-goer is highly likely to purchase a nice Toto as long as they have a decent first experience.
Where are they going to have said experience? Traveling? Not many people go to Japan. I suppose this could happen via slow osmosis, but I doubt it. A friend's house? The circle is pretty small. A business? Most likely! However, a lot of businesses are (rightly) skeptical about putting a toilet like that in, because of 1) cost if it breaks 2) making customers uncomfortable because of confusion trying to figure it out 3) difficulty adjusting to what a bidet feels like. Special emphasis on 2. It's not like you can go in there and show every customer; and we all know that customers are idiots and even a very detailed sign explaining will be ignored in horrendous ways.
So we are stuck at the beginning. Practically zero practical exposure leads to practically zero interest. The only way around this is presumably some form of marketing, making it seem exciting enough that a zero-experience consumer will order one. That has its own challenges, the most obvious being: people virtually never replace their toilet unless they have to, and in that case they need a new one fast. And building your own home/planned renovation? Sadly, toilets tend to be very low on the list of decisions to be made. I know this is all broadly true judging by my time working in a hardware store adjacent to the toilet selling area. Add on to that, the fact that most consumers feel like they need a plumber to install one, and plumbers are incredibly expensive? The current situation explains itself.
Hi. Among other jobs, I'm a small-time plumber in the USA.
The biggest problem I see with this device is the need for electrical service to it; if I'm not mistaken, Japan uses a different electrical voltage than the US does (100 volts to the US 110-120), which requires plug adapters for long-term use. Also a new outlet (GFCI) would need to be installed and wired to on a separate circuit from bathroom main power (due to additional "Amp draw" from the 100- 110v adaptation). This raises the expense of installing one in a private home exponentially.
The solution is probably 9v/12v battery power; easy to change and lit only at point of use (maybe a pressure switch on the seat?). Also the device needs to function at a basic level (ie, flush) if the battery/ies are dead. Manual operation alongside would cover that. Some water-supplies would have to be upgraded too; to supply both tank and bidet functions.
Just some thing for you (and Toto) to consider. You got a sub, boss. Nice to meet ya!
I was lucky enough to go to the Galapagos Islands and Japan. I was shocked of the isolation of Japan in the world, it was the feeling I got as a tourist. Not only the languge, but the culture.
For the Galapagos, Darwin discovered that species over-specialised, with new organs and new functions could have more high chance to survive. But I think he added that they could be destroyed from any external animal and can't adapt to fight it, because others species could be more rapid in evolution. I am afraid there is a bit of truth for our fellow japanese fellows, isolation conserve traditions, but it seems Japan is FAR behind of everyone, like society mental health. We can say "behind" for globalisation, but it can be "advanced" for nationalisation.
Take it with a grain of salt, it's not the only country with problems but Japan should open a bit more up, in hope to not be left alone, but with protecting their personnal culture. Economy since decade is international, so not playing the "game with others" could put you on the side. And the culture is probably eating itself, it (probably) needs to feed from others cultures to stay relevent.
To sell outside of Japan, I'd go with "less is more". Instead of dozen extra functions, just add one or two; ask potential customers which ones sound least weird to them. No electronic display, just a mechanical button with a picture and text.
As an American, I have no idea what this is really about. I certainly wouldn't pay triple merely to "play music or fake flushing sounds" so what makes them so much better? Do they somehow have integrated bidets? Even if so, never having experienced one, I don't know I would want one.
The analogy falls apart, too, since we finches have visited Japan, Japanese visit the rest of the world, and the technology doesn't catch on.
Elsewhere in Asia at least (like Singapore) they are a rare but not unheard of feature, particularly in wealthy households. Posh hotels and restaurants sometimes have them too. I may be misremembering, but I’m sure I’ve seen them occasionally in Europe too - although bidets in general are more common there. I suspect anywhere that uses bidets (Europe with sink bidets, East Asia with sprayjets) will be more comfortable with the concept.
The short answer is that hardly anyone needs the Washlet.
Yes, foreigners come to Japan and go OH! and AH! over them, but paying all that money for a toilet? The only really useful gadget is the bidet which is already available in other countries (e.g. Italy, France).
Interesting! I hadn't thought about how copreratism might be holding back exports in Japan.
Some random oberservations.
- At the local beach in my town the heated seats are switched to on 365 days a year. I don't know if this is my mistake or what but it must literally burn money. I've also noticed this in a cafe I frequent.
- I work in a school and the staff toilets are Western style e.g. no fancy toto stuff. Not sure if it's cheapness on their part or some exception to the rule that fancy toilets are good.
- I have thought that the difficulty of mantaining these toliets is maybe part of the appeal? More spare parts for toto to sell, more charges for the apartments to charge etc. From my POV it turns a one-time purchase into a subscription.
The problem is real exposure. Let's assume a toilet-goer is highly likely to purchase a nice Toto as long as they have a decent first experience.
Where are they going to have said experience? Traveling? Not many people go to Japan. I suppose this could happen via slow osmosis, but I doubt it. A friend's house? The circle is pretty small. A business? Most likely! However, a lot of businesses are (rightly) skeptical about putting a toilet like that in, because of 1) cost if it breaks 2) making customers uncomfortable because of confusion trying to figure it out 3) difficulty adjusting to what a bidet feels like. Special emphasis on 2. It's not like you can go in there and show every customer; and we all know that customers are idiots and even a very detailed sign explaining will be ignored in horrendous ways.
So we are stuck at the beginning. Practically zero practical exposure leads to practically zero interest. The only way around this is presumably some form of marketing, making it seem exciting enough that a zero-experience consumer will order one. That has its own challenges, the most obvious being: people virtually never replace their toilet unless they have to, and in that case they need a new one fast. And building your own home/planned renovation? Sadly, toilets tend to be very low on the list of decisions to be made. I know this is all broadly true judging by my time working in a hardware store adjacent to the toilet selling area. Add on to that, the fact that most consumers feel like they need a plumber to install one, and plumbers are incredibly expensive? The current situation explains itself.
Hi. Among other jobs, I'm a small-time plumber in the USA.
The biggest problem I see with this device is the need for electrical service to it; if I'm not mistaken, Japan uses a different electrical voltage than the US does (100 volts to the US 110-120), which requires plug adapters for long-term use. Also a new outlet (GFCI) would need to be installed and wired to on a separate circuit from bathroom main power (due to additional "Amp draw" from the 100- 110v adaptation). This raises the expense of installing one in a private home exponentially.
The solution is probably 9v/12v battery power; easy to change and lit only at point of use (maybe a pressure switch on the seat?). Also the device needs to function at a basic level (ie, flush) if the battery/ies are dead. Manual operation alongside would cover that. Some water-supplies would have to be upgraded too; to supply both tank and bidet functions.
Just some thing for you (and Toto) to consider. You got a sub, boss. Nice to meet ya!
-Shags,
Cleveland, OH US
I was lucky enough to go to the Galapagos Islands and Japan. I was shocked of the isolation of Japan in the world, it was the feeling I got as a tourist. Not only the languge, but the culture.
For the Galapagos, Darwin discovered that species over-specialised, with new organs and new functions could have more high chance to survive. But I think he added that they could be destroyed from any external animal and can't adapt to fight it, because others species could be more rapid in evolution. I am afraid there is a bit of truth for our fellow japanese fellows, isolation conserve traditions, but it seems Japan is FAR behind of everyone, like society mental health. We can say "behind" for globalisation, but it can be "advanced" for nationalisation.
Take it with a grain of salt, it's not the only country with problems but Japan should open a bit more up, in hope to not be left alone, but with protecting their personnal culture. Economy since decade is international, so not playing the "game with others" could put you on the side. And the culture is probably eating itself, it (probably) needs to feed from others cultures to stay relevent.
To sell outside of Japan, I'd go with "less is more". Instead of dozen extra functions, just add one or two; ask potential customers which ones sound least weird to them. No electronic display, just a mechanical button with a picture and text.
As an American, I have no idea what this is really about. I certainly wouldn't pay triple merely to "play music or fake flushing sounds" so what makes them so much better? Do they somehow have integrated bidets? Even if so, never having experienced one, I don't know I would want one.
The analogy falls apart, too, since we finches have visited Japan, Japanese visit the rest of the world, and the technology doesn't catch on.
Elsewhere in Asia at least (like Singapore) they are a rare but not unheard of feature, particularly in wealthy households. Posh hotels and restaurants sometimes have them too. I may be misremembering, but I’m sure I’ve seen them occasionally in Europe too - although bidets in general are more common there. I suspect anywhere that uses bidets (Europe with sink bidets, East Asia with sprayjets) will be more comfortable with the concept.
Very interesting, thank you!
The short answer is that hardly anyone needs the Washlet.
Yes, foreigners come to Japan and go OH! and AH! over them, but paying all that money for a toilet? The only really useful gadget is the bidet which is already available in other countries (e.g. Italy, France).
I love the Toto Washlet and would buy it in a heartbeat, but the price is a bit prohibitive. I do have a Tushy which is better than nothing.
Interesting! I hadn't thought about how copreratism might be holding back exports in Japan.
Some random oberservations.
- At the local beach in my town the heated seats are switched to on 365 days a year. I don't know if this is my mistake or what but it must literally burn money. I've also noticed this in a cafe I frequent.
- I work in a school and the staff toilets are Western style e.g. no fancy toto stuff. Not sure if it's cheapness on their part or some exception to the rule that fancy toilets are good.
- I have thought that the difficulty of mantaining these toliets is maybe part of the appeal? More spare parts for toto to sell, more charges for the apartments to charge etc. From my POV it turns a one-time purchase into a subscription.
You got a sub! Thanks!!