> the timing of this article seems particularly like sponsored content

http://paulgraham.com/submarine.html

Just to re-iterate the value of your insightful comment, it seems likely the "sponsorship" is a combination of lazy journalism and talented PR firms.

A.K.A. How media works.

Oh my god! He can recognize them! :)

I hope this is not a PR piece. But if it is, then it works really well because the first thing I did after reading was to look up the prices of the Toto washlets one more time.

Jimmy?

If it's an ad, it's a good one. Bidets are just better, and I wish people would take them seriously.

No, there's really a cult following. The moment I buy my own place I'll be installing one of these. There's nothing better.

It's difficult to install a separate bidet - need a bathroom with lots of extra space, then run new plumbing... Even then, you're using two stations when one will suffice.

Similar laudatory piece, from Slate about 18 months ago: http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2014/04/...