Vending Machines

Is there a more convenient country in the world than Japan? The trains run so fast they’re named after bullets, package redelivery can be arranged anytime, and there is an (appropriately named) convenience store on seemingly every corner. But most obviously, the sheer ubiquity of the vending machine makes this country the globe’s most accommodating. According to statista.com, Japan has approximately 4.1 million jidōhanbaiki [vending machines], or one for every 30 people. Most of these – about 2.6 million – will be drink vending machines selling soda, bottles of tea, and even beer, and they can be found on pretty much every street corner. Insanely, jidōhanbaiki take in about ¥5 trillion [US$36.7 billion] a year. Put into perspective, that’s about a third of Google’s worldwide advertising revenue. That’s a whole lot of coins going into slots. Which begs the question, why are they so popular? Well, I refer you once again to that word ‘ubiquity,’ as vending machines are absolutely everywhere. Within a five-minute walk from my apartment in Nakamura Ward, just off the top of my head, I can think of ten jidōhanbaiki spots, some of which have multiple machines. Most of these sell a wide array of soft…