] As Japan produces fewer children and more retirees,
] toymakers are designing new dolls for the lonely elderly --
] companions which can sleep next to them and offer caring words
] they may never hear otherwise.

] The Yumel doll, which looks like a baby boy and has a
] vocabulary of 1,200 phrases, is billed as a "healing
] partner" for the elderly and goes on the market Thursday
] at a price of 8,500 yen (80 dollars).

] The 37-centimeter (15-inch) Yumel is equipped with six sensors and
] an IC chip which keep track of the owner's sleeping time.

] "I feel so good, g-o-o-d n-i-g-h-t," the doll says before
] falling asleep if the owner pats it on the chest gently.

] Or Yumel may ask, "Aren't you pushing yourself too hard?"
] when it judges the owner has been going to bed too
] irregularly or not spending enough time playing with it.

] Some customers are so much in love with the doll that
] they are troubled by casual questions it asks.

] "I thought that you need to enjoy the night together if
] you really hope to live with a doll."

Does anyone else find this statement deeply disturbing?

I find it interesting that there is such a big market for this. Lets get analytical about it and ask...What does that say about society? It just doesn't seem like a logical solution. Plus it would really creep me out to have a doll tell me when to go to sleep. I guess overall it just doesn't make sense to me.

Unusual new companion for elderly