It's no surprise that Nintendogs is the best-selling game in Japan right now. Famitsu gave it a perfect score. The game is driving sales of the DS.

I can understand it. Nintendogs is brilliant - such a simple idea, executed with such cuddly charm. To not feel something when the virtual puppy responds to your stylus-petting is to have a heart of stone.

Japan excells at wringing feelings out of cold digital or robotic beings. Even slick-and-cool Sony scored a place in people's hearts with the Aibo. Virtual pets like Aibo and Nintendogs make sense in a place like Japan where having a real cat or dog is a luxury; but I think the appeal is deeper than that. These simulcra tap into our deep need to love; they take advantage of our innate programming - by displaying the symptoms of affection, they can awaken real affection in us to the point where we feel a true bond.

Japan is already taking this to the next logical step, with robot therapy [via Gonzalo]. We've all heard that pets help the aged live longer, more fulfilling lives...well, it seems that even fake pets help. As long as our emotions are real, it doesn't seem to matter. For Japan, this is just an extension of all those cute critters telling you what to do at train stations, at police stations, in shopping malls - they direct not by force, but through the power of affectionate mascots.

I think this could be extended into all sorts of fields - training, education, work, other forms of therapy. Like dolls, but with the capacity to respond. Never underestimate the power of the human heart.