Society Squat toilets still in demand in Japan

Japan's education ministry has also been supporting schools' transition to Western-style toilets through funds for school grounds maintenance. In a 2016 survey, 57% of toilets in public elementary and junior high schools were Japanese-style, but by 2023 this ratio had declined to 32%. However, there are discrepancies between prefectures, with Japanese-style toilets accounting for around half the total in places such as Shimane and Yamaguchi prefectures as of 2023. Some schools have also reportedly conveyed their wish to retain the traditional flushers so that children know how to use them.

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In recent years, transportation companies have also been going Western. Of the 571 stations where Kyushu Railway Co. (JR Kyushu) operates, some 40% have Japanese-style loos. While cost-saving measures are being advanced amid a decline in local ridership, the company decided to update its latrines. According to a representative, until around 10 years ago, there had been passengers who commented they didn't want to touch the seat of a public toilet, so it left them in place. However, such feedback has not been heard recently, and in contrast, there is also sometimes a backlog of people waiting to use the seated facilities as many avoid squat ones.

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