We carry our smartphones everywhere, yet they're among the least hygienic items we touch daily. Ranking third for contamination among tech gadgets—with up to 1.6 million bacteria per 2.5 square centimeters, behind electronic badges and keyboards—phones demand better care. Enter Narita International Airport's clever fix: dedicated toilet paper for smartphone screens.
Seven restrooms across the airport now offer 86 small rollers in individual cabinets, developed by Japanese telecom leader NTT Docomo. Hardly a luxury when laptops harbor five times more bacteria than toilet seats.
It's straightforward: unroll the marked sheet, fold it, wipe your screen, and flush. Each piece even includes WiFi access details and a tourist guide app promo for Japan. This highlights Japan's tech-forward public restrooms—as noted by The Independent, many boast heated seats, bidet jets, deodorizers, and sound-masking music.
Progress indeed. When will France catch up with phone-cleaning toilet paper?
