ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Sega has brought a new meaning to the phrase 'toilet humour' by installing arcade urinals in Japan.

A number of businesses have already bought into the idea and the games company famous for its Sonic the Hedgehog franchise has installed 130 'Toylets' at around 100 bars and restaurants.

The 150,000 yen (1,500 euros) devices require players to get into the flow, quite literally, with speed and volume being the key to success in the games, which are displayed on a screen above the toilet.

Hiroyuki Tanaka, Sega spokesman, told AFP: "This gives bar customers more things to talk about when they return from bathrooms to their tables."

However, as well as providing some entertainment for visitors to the gents, there is a serious business side to the venture, with advertisers able to place messages on screen.

Furthermore, with gamers needing to maximise their natural resources, Mr Tanaka reports that the toilets stay cleaner and fresher for other users.