Toys in Japan focus on parents-children bonding

About 10,000 visitors are flocking every day to Japan's annual toy show that opened this week in Tokyo, featuring items designed not only for children but also their parents. At this year's Tokyo International Toy Show, parents and children are encouraged to play together and have fun as many toy makers are introducing toys that can help improve communication between children and their parents. Such toys include a golf simulation video game created with Japan's teenage golf sensation Ryo Ishikawa. The toy's computer system analyses the speed and movement of the golf club and displays the virtual ball's trajectory on the computer screen. The Ryo Ishikawa-produced golf game went on sale in Japan on Saturday with the price tag of 7,980 yen (or some 90 dollars.) We wanted to create a game that children and their parents can play together and would eventually improve their communication. Many fathers like playing golf so that makes both kids and dads happy, said Daisuke Hirano, spokesman for Epoch Company, which sells the golf video game. The four-day event, which ends on Sunday is featuring about 36,000 toys and other items for kids made by some 140 companies in Japan and abroad.