Public Toilets Going High-Tech for the Summer Olympics

Japan is sprucing up its public toilets in preparation for the 2020 Summer Olympics, which will be held in Tokyo, Nikkei Asian Review reports.

Japan is already famous for its high-tech public restrooms. Here is a sampling of recent improvements that will make potty breaks even more pleasant for visitors:

New toilets installed at an expressway rest stop south of Tokyo can measure drivers’ fatigue and let them know when it’s time to take a break. When the person sits down, sensors in the seat take a pulse. A green screen indicates the driver is good to go. Yellow indicates the driver is a little tired and should probably take a break. Red means the driver is definitely tired and needs rest.

Remodeled public restrooms near a shrine in Hatsukaichi features multilingual toilets which give directions on how to use the washing functions in five languages—Japanese, English, French, Chinese, and Korean. The restrooms also feature specially designed toilets for children and wheelchair users. Women’s stalls are more spacious, letting them wash their hands inside the stall.

The Odakyu Electric Railway has begun a service that allows passengers check which stalls are free at three busy stations by using a smartphone app.