TOTO, a major Japanese toilet-maker, is promoting its newest product, the water-efficient Greenmax 4.8, through a robot action figure. The mobile strap toy barks eco-friendly slogans like “Protect the earth, GMAX!” (地球を守れ，GMAX!) and generally looks a Duchamp art work-cum-Transformer.
[Images via Chuetsusangyou blog116.fc2.]
In fact, water is one of the few natural resources that Japan abounds in, which is why we haven’t seen so much in the water-saving devices and campaigns amongst our eco research. Though we are curious to see how TOTO’s toilet will fit onto the eco bandwagon, at any rate it is well known that Japanese marketers jump at any chance to use robots in a campaign.
[Via Plastic Pals.]
William is an editor of JapanTrends.com and researcher for 
Where can I buy one! This is fantastic!!
@Beckee Sorry to disappoint you but I just don’t know. As far as I can tell it doesn’t seem to be widely available yet.
This reminds me of a toilet themed restaurant in Taiwan
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1882569,00.html
The arms and legs are totally gundam !
Hello William, I think that your idea is terrific. Have you thought about twittering this project. Seems to me that Japan is big on Ads. Also how much exposure for the Green Max 4.8 is here in the United States.
@Isaac Yes, there is some shameless pandering to robot/mecha fans here but, hey, it’s harmless!
@Avis Hardy It’s not my idea so I can’t take any credit for this! As far as I know the Green Max 4.8 (the toilet or the robot toy) is not available in the USA but let me know if I’m wrong. I doubt this kind of promotional toy would work well in that market, though.