Japan Thinking About Toilets On Elevators. Your Thoughts?

2015-06-04T09:23:27-04:00

Japan mulls emergency toilets in elevators
Japan has around 620,000 elevators in public or commercial buildings nationwide, about 20 percent of which are in Tokyo

Japan has around 620,000 elevators in public or commercial buildings nationwide, about 20 percent of which are in Tokyo (AFP Photo/Aaron Tam)
Tokyo (AFP) - Japan is looking at installing toilets in elevators and providing an emergency supply of drinking water for people trapped by the nation's frequent powerful earthquakes, an official said Wednesday.

The move comes after dozens of people were left high and dry, some for over an hour, following a 7.8 magnitude quake on Saturday that stopped lifts.

Most of the elevators automatically halted at the nearest floor and opened their doors, but 14 were stranded between storeys.

A meeting between officials from the infrastructure ministry and elevator industry bodies agreed to look into providing toilets for use in an emergency, an official from the Association of Elevator Makers told AFP.

These might include collapsable cardboard structures with a waterproof bag or absorbant material inside.

Some recently-installed lifts have small seating areas for Japan's growing ranks of elderly people, and installing facilities underneath these seats is one possibility.

Japan has around 620,000 elevators in public or commercial buildings nationwide, about 20 percent of which are in Tokyo.

It also sits at the junction of four tectonic plates and is regularly hit by powerful earthquakes.

The government estimates that the next "Big One" -- a huge quake seismologists say is almost certain to hit the capital over the coming decades -- may leave up to 17,000 people stranded in elevators.

Saturday's quake was centred on a remote spot in the Pacific Ocean around 900 kilometres (550 miles) south of Tokyo, but was felt throughout the country.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 9:24 AM

2015-06-04T09:24:56-04:00

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 9:32 AM

2015-06-04T09:32:39-04:00

Not so much!!

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jun 4 at 2015 9:35 AM

2015-06-04T09:35:21-04:00

I spent 16 years in Japan and this has to be the strangest idea ever!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 9:52 AM

2015-06-04T09:52:30-04:00

When you got to go, you got to go.........but damn.

Response by PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 9:53 AM

2015-06-04T09:53:50-04:00

Based on the fact that Japan is Earthquake Central this really might not be a bad idea for those it would benefit in high population areas. I'm all for thinking outside the box. Change isn't the end of the world and it may be ill fitting for our society but this could prove useful in the right communities.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 4 at 2015 10:03 AM

2015-06-04T10:03:34-04:00

From the same people that brought you ...

The concept was originated as a possible new product in an annual company contest by a Toyota employee in Japan, as reported in The Wall Street Journal in the 80s. The employee was upset about this job requirement [of having to come] . . . up with a new product.

Directions:

Six day underwear has three leg holes.

1. Wear for day one
2. Rotate using the unused leg hole and wear for day two
3. Rotate in the same direction by one leg hole and wear for day three
4. Turn underwear inside out
5. Repeat steps 1, 2, and 3 for days four, five, and six.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 10:06 AM

2015-06-04T10:06:29-04:00

I already establish a pee corner when I get into elevators. You never know when those things will get stuck... :P

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 11:04 AM

2015-06-04T11:04:11-04:00

Well, elevators have scared the crap out people so - why not? LOL

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Jun 4 at 2015 5:00 PM

2015-06-04T17:00:48-04:00

I know some people who put an elevator like that out of service

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Jun 4 at 2015 5:50 PM

2015-06-04T17:50:34-04:00

Bad idea. Imagine the smell. I know a guy who cleared out a 12 lane bowling ally with a fart.
Imagine the stench if he had a commode in an elevator.
He would clear out the whole building.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 5 at 2015 12:10 AM

2015-06-05T00:10:44-04:00

That's actually a pretty ingenious idea.

Response by SGT James Hastings made Jun 5 at 2015 1:15 PM

2015-06-05T13:15:53-04:00

I've been in some really bad earthquakes in Japan in the old days and know friends that during the tsunami couldn't get home for several days. So, it makes sense in emergencies.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jun 5 at 2015 10:01 PM

2015-06-05T22:01:28-04:00

When Hitomi went back to Japan a few weeks ago, they had a 6.2 mag quake. 3 weeks later it is the day before leaving Tokyo and they get hit again. In 2011 her entire town went out to sea. She spent 2 days on a roof. If they want crappers in an elevator, they deserve crappers in an elevator.

Response by PO1 Timothy Miller made Jun 6 at 2015 4:22 AM

2015-06-06T04:22:44-04:00

As long as you could keep the unruly, drunk foreigner from using it in a non-emergency situation, I am sure that Japanese society, being as ordered as it is, could handle having emergency toilet facilities in elevators. Maybe put an alarm of some sort on it that would alert security if someone tried to use it in a non-emergency situation.

Response by SGT James Hastings made Oct 2 at 2015 9:48 AM

2015-10-02T09:48:44-04:00

It makes some sense for emergencies but may be a "stinky" idea.