Why Do Japanese People Sit on the Toilet Facing Forward?

Younger generations in Japan are not always comfortable with traditional toilets. According to a Japan Times report from April 2025, roughly one in four students was unable to use the traditional style. This statistic turns the stereotype on its head.

There is also something fitting about how this story persists. Japan is a country where tradition and modernization often coexist. The old squat toilet now sits alongside sleek electronic models that have gained worldwide fame. Modern Japanese toilets are renowned for their warm-water bidets with adjustable pressure, heated seats, and air dryers. High-tech versions feature automatic open/close lids, sensor-activated flushing, odor removal, and sound masking. The controls, typically on a side panel or wall, often use intuitive pictograms.

Wait until you read the ending — then discover another story you won't believe.