Nearly All Phones in Japan Are Waterproof Because People Need to Use Them in the Shower

Consider relocating to Japan if you're unhappy with the waterproof phone options available in the United States. Although they are far from the norm, waterproof cellphones are becoming more popular in Western countries. However, almost all phones in Japan are waterproof, and they have been for almost a decade. Because consumers need to be able to use their phones in the shower, data reveals that 90% to 95% of phones in Japan are waterproof.

It seems that Japanese smartphone owners are so devoted to them that they even use them while bathing. Early on, manufacturers became aware of this peculiar behavior and understood that they needed to make their products waterproof in order to flourish in Japan. The Casio Canoe 502S, the first waterproof mobile phone in history, was released in 2005. A line of waterproof handhelds from Fujitsu quickly followed. Soon, all manufacturers attempting to sell their products in Japan were required to make their products waterproof.

Even manufacturers like LG and Samsung, who typically don't produce waterproof phones for the worldwide market, had to change in order to compete in Japan. According to Ken Hong, LG's head of worldwide communications, "In Japan, being waterproof is significantly more important than being able to remove your phone's battery." For a smaller Korean company like LG, "we need to be able to check all the key boxes to be as attractive as possible to Japanese consumers," which is also why LG hasn't even bothered launching its most recent flagship, the modular G5 phone, in the Asian nation—it couldn't make a waterproof phone with removable parts, so why bother.

In Japan, phones that can withstand water have long been the standard. "In Japan, you can't sell a phone if it's not waterproof," Panasonic executive Taro Itakura told AFP at the 2012 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Approximately 90 to 95 percent of the phones sold now come with waterproofing. "We carry our phone with us at all times. It follows us into the bathroom, into the shower, or into the downpour. Therefore, a sturdy phone is essential, according to Nobuo Ohtani, senior vice president of Fujitsu Corporate, for AFP.

So, you can relax knowing that you're not as addicted to technology as you imagined, as long as you avoid using your phone in the shower. According to manufacturers, Japanese women are so devoted to their phones that they even use them while showering. This necessitates waterproofing, which also protects against mishaps caused by texting while using the restroom and rainstorms.

After leaving in 2005 to concentrate on its domestic sales, Panasonic is attempting to re-enter the European market.

In the US, the trend of water-resistant phones is steadily gaining traction thanks to companies like Samsung, Sony, and Apple. However, just because technology is growing doesn't mean you should treat your phone like a pool toy. Phone manufacturers advise against immersing your phone underwater since salt and other chemicals may harm it even if moisture doesn't.