Survey Results on School Toilets Released: "Toilets" Rank First in Demand for School Facility Improvements for Elementary, Junior High, and High Schools

The School Toilet Research Group (Secretariat Director: Chikako Tomioka, Secretariat: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo), an organization for research activities by six toilet-related companies including TOTO, has conducted the "2025 Fiscal Year National Teacher and Staff Survey" and is pleased to announce the results. Details are available on the research group's website and in their research journal (published June 30).

In this survey, when asked about necessary improvements for students, "toilets" ranked first among environmental improvement items such as air conditioning and insulation for both elementary/junior high and high schools. Regarding issues with toilets, voices calling for facility improvements were raised, including "smelly/dirty," "stains cannot be removed even after cleaning," and "not enough Western-style toilets," as well as "cold toilet seats" and "hot water is not available."

The proportion of respondents who answered "all Western-style" for the ratio of Western-style to Japanese-style toilets was 25% for public elementary and junior high schools, 16% for public high schools, and 42% for private high schools, indicating that complete conversion to Western-style toilets has not yet been achieved. Furthermore, regarding the installation of washlet toilets, approximately 70% of respondents for both elementary/junior high and high schools answered "necessary" or "rather necessary." However, the actual installation rate in student toilets was only 20% for public elementary and junior high schools, 10% for public high schools, and 40% for private high schools, revealing that the actual installation status has not kept pace with the demands from teachers and staff.

Improvements to school toilets are an urgent issue from the perspectives of enhancing children's learning environment, responding to evacuation centers during disasters, and improving the workplace environment for teachers and staff. The School Toilet Research Group will continue to conduct surveys and research to provide information for the creation of clean and comfortable school toilets that can be used with peace of mind.

Amidst the aging of school facilities, teachers and staff responded that "toilets" were the area requiring improvement for students, ranking first at 55% for public elementary and junior high schools and 58% for high schools. Following this, for elementary and junior high schools, "sinks in the hallway (47%)" were mentioned, indicating an overwhelming demand for improvements to frequently used water facilities.

Regarding issues with toilets, "cold toilet seats," "smelly/dirty," and "stains cannot be removed even after cleaning" ranked high for elementary, junior high, and high schools. In addition to these, specific requests for further facility improvements were raised, such as "hot water is not available" and "not enough Western-style toilets."

In public elementary and junior high schools, "all Western-style" accounted for 25% and "mostly Western-style" accounted for 41%, showing steady progress in conversion. Meanwhile, the proportion of "all Western-style" in high schools was 16% for public high schools and 42% for private high schools. When combined with "mostly Western-style," the figures reached 62% for public high schools and 86% for private high schools, indicating that further promotion of Western-style toilets is desired for students' healthy and comfortable school life.

Regarding the necessity of washlet toilets, approximately 70% of respondents for both public elementary and junior high schools and high schools answered "necessary" or "rather necessary."

Schools where washlet toilets are installed in "all" student toilets were 20% for public elementary and junior high schools, 10% for public high schools, and 40% for private high schools. For staff toilets, the figures were 45% for public elementary and junior high schools, 25% for public high schools, and 59% for private high schools. The issue of "cold toilet seats" was also among the top concerns in Q2 "Issues with toilets," highlighting the need for improvements in facility environments.

=====Details of the survey will be sequentially posted on the research group's website=====

School Toilet Research Group Survey Report

https://www.school-toilet.jp/usefuldate/

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Member Companies (Main Products Related to School Toilets)

Aica Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Wall materials for toilets)

Okamura Corporation (Toilet booth materials)

Kimura Tokutaro Shoten Co., Ltd. (Toilet cleaning)

TOTO LTD. (Toilet sanitary equipment)

Micell Chemical Co., Ltd. (Medicated hand soap liquid/cleaning detergents)

Lonsell Industries Co., Ltd. (Floor materials for toilets)

School Toilet Research Group Website

https://www.school-toilet.jp/