His point is valid. It is nearly impossible to strike a person with a vehicle if the person sees you approaching.
The public restrooms I used were clean and outfitted with Toto toilets. They spray your ass to clean you. I liked them so I’ve outfitted my house with the same.
Think they were in an old part where her family lives. He described a line of toilet/slots or troughs in the floor that people lined up to squat over. He seemed serious.
You can definitely find squat toilets in Tokyo. Personally I'm fond of the street-urinals - basically just a 3 or 4 foot wall you can step behind to pee in public. barfo