Description

In 1964, the year of the Tokyo Olympic Games, Ina Seito began importing and selling a toilet equipped with warm-water washing and drying functions, known as the Clos-o-Mat 61, which was used mainly for medical purposes in Europe. However, it did not suit Japanese body types, and replacement parts were difficult to obtain, prompting Ina Seito to begin domestic development.
Through extensive research—including studying Japanese body shapes and refining details such as the position and angle of the washing nozzle—the company released Sanitarina 61 in 1967, Japan’s first domestically produced toilet with a warm-water washing function.
The system uses pump-driven water pressure to extend the nozzle and wash with warm water, while a single foot-operated switch enables warm-air drying and flushing in a fully automatic process, which was highly innovative at the time.
Although the concept of washing with water initially surprised users, it gradually gained acceptance. Today, warm-water bidet toilets are installed in over 80% of Japanese households, establishing a new everyday cultural norm.