Photo/Illutration A photo of a children’s restroom taken by a woman who visited the Osaka Kansai Expo site during a preview of the event (Provided by the woman)

OSAKA—Certain restrooms for toddlers at the Osaka Kansai Expo were designed to let parents easily help out their kids, but some say the layout could violate the children’s human rights.

One mother who attended the three-day event preview that started on April 4 with her husband and 3-year-old daughter took to X to express her displeasure.

“There are no partitions, and it’s too exposed,” the woman said in a message with a picture of empty child-sized toilets and urinals.

She said her child wasn’t uncomfortable because she had used an open restroom at her nursery school until she was 2 years old.

“I’d be happy if there were even low partitions to respect the privacy of children aged up to 3,” the mother said.

Others on X defended the unpartitioned restroom, with one user saying they are commonly used at nursery schools.

According to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, this type of restroom is located inside Lost Child and Baby Centers next to the west and east gates of the venue.

For those uncomfortable about being seen by others, a private stall next to each facility is available.

There are also partitioned restrooms for children aged between 3 and 5 and toilet booths equipped with potty chairs at the expo site.

When deciding how to deal with lost children taken into protective custody at the centers, the expo association checked a catalogue of toilets for schools and infant facilities compiled by leading bathroom fixture maker Toto Ltd.

The catalogue said a restroom needs to be open for 2-year-olds who need assistance from teachers.

But according to a Toto public relations representative, the catalogue lists plans intended for kindergartens and nursery schools, not for public places where strangers can enter.

Although Toto provided its products to the expo venue as a sponsoring company, the children’s toilets were purchased by the expo association.

Designers and clients determine how they want to install the Toto products, the representative said.

“We are not involved in the designing process of the restroom space,” the representative said.

Anyone with children can enter the restrooms at the expo centers. Staff members will talk to those who try to enter without children.

Hitomi Kitayama, a former principal at the private Wako Elementary School and the Wako Kindergarten in Tokyo, said teacher shortages have forced each staff member to take care of several children.

All restrooms for children aged up to 2 are designed in an open-plan style so that adults can rush in to help if something happens.

“But that is not enough to protect the privacy of children,” Kitayama said. “The fact that (the expo restroom) has sparked controversy is significant. I hope it will serve as a springboard for people to stop and think.”

Haruo Asai, a professor emeritus at Rikkyo University who is well-versed in children’s human rights, said the idea that children don’t mind being seen naked is wrong.

“Naturally, children also feel uncomfortable about things that make adults feel uncomfortable,” he said. “Kids are also the main people when it comes to human rights. It’s not too late to improve the situation.”

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