System for certifying public restrooms caters to tourists in emergencies
In the heart of Japan, Gunma Prefecture has been leading the way in providing top-notch public toilet facilities. The visitor toilet accreditation system, established in 2003, has been instrumental in ensuring that visitors to the Kannonyama Family Park in Takasaki, and over 250 other bathrooms across the prefecture, feel comfortable and welcomed.
Hisako Kobayashi, a dedicated employee at the Kannonyama Family Park, works tirelessly to maintain the high standards of cleanliness and ease of use that have earned the park seven accreditations under the system. Her diligent work is a testament to the importance placed on toilets as part of the spirit of hospitality, as expressed by a Nagano official.
The accreditation system evaluates facilities based on cleanliness, safety, and other factors, with around 25 points in total. The success of the system is attributed to regular daily maintenance, which ensures that facilities consistently meet the high standards set by the system.
The accolades for the Gunma Prefecture initiative have not gone unnoticed. Kohei Yamamoto, chairman of the Japan Toilet Association, praised the system as "a great, progressive approach with detailed criteria." He expressed hope that the Gunma Prefecture initiative could serve as a point of reference for bathroom services nationwide.
The accreditation system is not just limited to Gunma Prefecture. Western Kochi Prefecture implemented a version of the system from fiscal 2012, and as of fiscal 2014, Nagano Prefecture also started implementing the system. The organization responsible for the system in Gunma Prefecture conducts on-the-spot inspections to ensure that awarded bathrooms continue to meet the high standards required for accreditation.
Certified lavatories in Gunma Prefecture bear a distinctive plaque featuring the prefectural mascot, Gunmachan, as a symbol of the high standards achieved. However, as of the latest information available, there is no documented evidence that other prefectures have adopted Gunma’s toilet accreditation system or data on its regional impacts outside Gunma.
Despite this, the influence of the Gunma Prefecture initiative is undeniable. The system has been gaining praise and recognition, setting a high bar for public toilet facilities across Japan and potentially inspiring other regions to follow suit.
- The Japan Toilet Association chairman, Kohei Yamamoto, admires the Gunma Prefecture toilet accreditation system, believing it could serve as a model for improving national bathroom services.
- Inspired by the success of Gunma Prefecture, Western Kochi Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture have adopted similar toilet accreditation systems, following the lead set in Japan.
- As the Gunma Prefecture initiative continues to gain recognition, it may influence other regions to prioritize high standards in their home-and-garden, travel, and lifestyle sectors, including the provision of comfortable and clean public toilet facilities.
