There are two winners here ...

One : Wikipedia, for the amazing detail.(Match that Britannica)
Two: The japanese people themselves - attraction grows immensely.

D'Oh - the thing I'm talking about is the amazing detail on Toilets in Japan article.Note the line where it says,

Depending on the exact model, these bidets are designed to open the lid when they sense an user nearby, wash the anus or vulva of the user (including a number of pulsating and massaging functions), dry afterwards with warm air, flush automatically and close the lid after use.

I remember Will Smith raving about these once in an interview, and another thing which he said has stuck,

"If you feel too much in awe of someone, imagine him on the pot with his pants down."

Always works, people.