Kids Web Japan’s series of articles on high-tech toilets offers an overview of the history of toilets in Japan and an introduction to the latest technologies. Have your junior/intermediate compare these Japanese toilets to the ones here. Here are some questions to get the discussion started:

Do you think that the “Sound Princess” would sell here in Toronto? Why or why not?

How is the Japanese “Washlet” superior to the bidet?

In ancient times Japanese had the original flush toilet located over a running stream. How does this system of treating waste differ from what is done at the Humber River sewage facility in Toronto? Read more at City of Toronto’s website about the “Humber Wastewater Treatment Plant.”

Traditional squat toilets are still used in Japan. Look at the picture below and consider what the advantages of a squat toilet might be as compared to our Western toilet.