Snap-up bank-note holders that press while they sterilise are also available, as are bug-killing tissues, floors, wallpaper, stuffed toys, bicycle child seats, sand boxes, origami paper and steering wheels.

ECONOMIST: The Japanese are a super-clean lot. Obsessively so?

Being by the sea has always given me a boost, and it's great seeing them drop their electronic devices and jaded teen act in favour of eating fish and chips out of paper or building a fortress in the sand.

BBC: Bipolar holiday