Shy lovers encouraged to send amorous beans

Japanese too shy to say "I Love You" can buy a bean plant that sprouts to bear such a special message.

Toymaker Takara will next month market gift cans, which hold soil and the small plant bearing a message that sprouts up in about five days. It offers six different messages inscribed through a laser beam.

Another toymaker, Tomy, offers its own version of message beans set in a white egg made of calcium that "hatches" soon after it is put in water. The bean cracks open through the egg and shows encouraging messages.