public restrooms and open designs

A Japan Times article states:

<blockqoute> "Public toilets have an open design because Japanese want to be able to see inside before entering," he explained, to make sure no one's lurking in the loo. And simple designs, without privacy walls, take up less space and are cheaper to construct. "I don't think it's a big deal for Japanese to be seen, as long as it's from behind and our faces aren't visible." </blockquote>

I'm sure there's never been an scientific survey on this. This is off the cuff nihonjinron. As is so typical one person thinks becuase he *is* Japanese in some special sense, he can therefore speak for all other Japanese. Let me offer a alternative theory: Public toilets have an open design as a form of social control. No I haven't done any surveys either, and I could be wrong. However, if he gets to have his pet theory, then I get to have mine. ;-)