Japanese toilet makers warn over flaming bidets
Japanese toilet makers issued a warning to electric bidet users on today, saying at least 105 units have caught fire or sent up smoke in Japan since 1984.
An extensive investigation was ordered by the government after Toto, Japan’s biggest toilet manufacturer, offered to repair 180,000 bidet toilets last month, saying several of them emitted flames in 2006-7 because of faulty wiring.
The Japan Warm Water Bidet Council, which represents nine bidet manufacturers, reported at least 105 cases of incidents involving flaming or smoking bidet toilets, the Trade Ministry said in a statement.
Bidet users ahave been urged to be careful and the council will further investigate the incidents according to the statement.
High-tech toilets fitted with warm water sprayers and dryers are a standard fixture in Japanese homes.
Toto’s problematic Z series of bidets also feature a pulsating massage spray, a built-in-the-bowl deodoriser and a lid that opens and closes automatically.
According to the council, the 105 defective toilets were manufactured by Toto, Inax Corp. and Matsushita Electric Works.
It was not immediately clear whether any injuries were involved.
