Startup brings Japanese smart toilets to Filipino homes
Have you seen those travel videos on social media where tourists talk about what they miss most about Japan after returning home?
If you’re travel junkie and social media savvy, you’ve probably come across a content creator overreacting upon realizing their home bathroom—especially the toilet—is nothing like those found in even the most ordinary establishments in Japan.
Toilets in Japan are often more advanced than those commonly seen in other developed nations. According to a 2016 consumer survey, 81 percent of Japanese households have bidet toilets, commonly known as washlets, which feature advanced functions rarely found outside Asia. These include anal hygiene, bidet washing, seat warming, and deodorization.
In the Philippines, bidet toilets exist, but the washer is usually attached separately, and they lack the advanced features that make using the toilet in Japan a completely different experience.
Kanzen Home CEO Jhonie Figidero admitted that he hasn’t been to Japan, but a stay at a luxury hotel in Manila inspired him to make washlets more accessible and affordable for Filipinos.
“But we have Japanese suppliers who have been to the country and helped us understand the product,” he told Manila Standard Life during a contract signing with App Your Service (AYS), an online platform that allows users to book home services like kitchen and bathroom fixture installations, as well as home cleaning.
“Our manufacturers have over 20 years of industry experience,” Figidero said, adding that Kanzen Home products are manufactured in Japan and assembled in China.
Kanzen Home offers modern luxury home products, including smart toilets, smart faucets, and smart locks, all powered by advanced Japanese technology to enhance home functionality and aesthetics.
“We are dedicated to leading the market in modern home essentials. We provide innovative products that meet international quality standards, enhancing everyday living with exceptional design and functionality,” Figidero said.
“All our products come with international certifications to ensure quality and safety. We also have certifications that validate that our products meet rigorous global standards, giving our customers peace of mind and confidence in their purchase,” he added.
The partnership with AYS will allow consumers to enjoy top-quality home upgrades with the convenience of booking product installations anytime, anywhere.
“With this partnership, we can reach more customers nationwide, and I’m confident in AYS’s capacity to expand our reach across the country.”
Kanzen Home is a relatively new player in the industry, established in 2022, but it has already attracted a string of A-list clients, including Vic Sotto and Alex Gonzaga, as well as online personalities like Cong TV, Janella in Japan, and Boss Toyo.
