Leave it to the Japanese to come up with a high-tech diaper.

Hitachi Ltd and Unicharm Corp. have unfolded an adult diaper that has a built-in censor to let the diaper know when it's time to take action.

Action is…activate the pump mechanism to automatically detect and transfer urine to a holding tank.

It keeps the diaper pad drier and more usable for longer periods of time….saving the wearer and in some cases the caregiver the hassle of changing the diaper so often.

The tube that transfers the urine from the pad to the holding tank is held in place by a strap worn around the waste.

The pump not only sucks urine away from the pad when activated it also periodically ventilates the absorption of the pad to keep it dry.

Five to seven times a day changes for adults are now once or twice….and all those caring for the elderly said, "Amen!"

It gets better….the prototype diaper has a microprocessor that keeps a log which provides a way to identify urination habits so the caregiver knows when to tell Hanako or Taro to make a trip to the pot.

And one more giant step for Japankind…there are plans to add a wireless communications function to make the product even more convenient.

"Wait! I am getting a message from Fumiko's diaper. She will need to go in about 10 minutes. I'd better hustle."

Next…the same for babies?