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Simple Pleasures: The Story of One Man’s Love Affair with a Nylon Washcloth

Simple Pleasures: The Story of One Man’s Love Affair with a Nylon Washcloth

“This is one thing that I want to continue using until the day I die.”

Of all the things that Japan is renowned for– all of its architectural triumphs, pioneering technology, sexy shenanigans and mind-bending animation — it comes as a surprise to this writer to read that one Chinese blogger in Japan values one thing above all else. Residing in Japan for more than 15 years, this 39-year-old blogger and professor of fine arts claims that, were he to return to his homeland, he’d miss one item more than anything else, and simply can’t begin to fathom why it hasn’t caught on back home.

Forget underwater Walkman music players, forget strawberry ramen and cuddle cafes; for this man, the humble nylon wash cloth is the pinnacle of Japanese invention, and it has become an essential part of his life.

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A Frank Discussion About Anuses and Why Washlet Toilets May be Bad For Your Health

A Frank Discussion About Anuses and Why Washlet Toilets May be Bad For Your Health

Throughout the world, Japan’s space-age toilets are about as well-known as Godzilla, sushi and Pokémon. Heated seats, massage functions, pressurised water sprays for rears and lady gardens alike; those toilet seats have everything a visitor to the bathroom could ever dream of, and, for me at least, there are few things in life more pleasing than opening a bathroom door to be greeted by a high-tech toilet springing to life and begging me to sit on it to do my dirty business.

According to health experts, though, those cleansing water jets may not be so good for our rear ends, and cases of infected colons and rectums (stop laughing at the back) are on the rise.

Apparently, we’re not using our fancy toilets properly!

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An Illustrated Guide to the Implications of not Washing Your Hands After Using the Restroom

An Illustrated Guide to the Implications of not Washing Your Hands After Using the Restroom

Earlier this month, we shared the following graphic illustration on our Japanese site depicting the shocking truth about what happens when you don’t wash your hands after using the restroom:

The picture had quite an impact on our cleanliness-obsessed Japanese audience, who began to wonder: if, shaking hands with someone who didn’t wash their hands after using the restroom is virtually the same as shaking their junk, what are the implications for other things we touch with out hands on a day-to-day basis?

We here at RocketNews24 also value good hygiene and think the image above does a great job at visualizing why you should too. However, we realize that not all people are as passionate about hygine as the Japanese, which is why we gathered our most artistically inclined staff members (so, the one guy who doesn’t draw stick figures) to compose this illustrated guide to the implications of not washing your hands after using the restroom.

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