JAPAN´S LOVE AFFAIR WITH VENDING MACHINES

Flower vending machine. Source: Japan Talk.

By Gundhramns Hammer
November 26, 2013

Japan is in love with vending machines (jidohanbaiki, 自動販売機). It is estimated that there are more than 5.6 million of them in the country. 

You can get local or tropical fruits, flowers for your wife or lover, hamburgers to keep your colon polyps happy, umbrellas for the sudden downpour after work, toys for you kids, batteries for your gadgets, bathroom tissue for the runs... Practically anything you can think of. 

Most jidohanbaiki (Video 1) serve hot and cold beverages such as soft drinks, tea, coffee, chocolate, energy drinks and beer to keep you on the go, run or good mood. 

                                                Video 1. Vending in Japan.

The global economic crisis has hit Japan´s vending business. According to the Japan Vending Machine Manufacturers Association (JVMA), revenue generated by vending machines in Japan declined 2.1% to about 5.3 trillion yen (US$67 billion) in 2011 as the number of machines on location declined 2.4% to 5,084,340 units. 

Beware "cacos" (thieves)! Vending machines are usually computer wired to the next police station. So if you try to take one home, the cops will come to you in a jiff, get you reddhanded and throw you in jail.

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