Japan's vending machine culture

This Japan Times article explains the vending machines and their place in Japan. When I was there a few years ago, I could practically live out of vending machines. Only thing that kept me from doing so was, I could not read instructions! ;) But it is not a laughing matter; According to the Japan Vending Machine Manufacturers Association, there are 5.51 million machines in Japan, taking a total of nearly 7 trillion yen (around $ 58 billion) a year. Here is the lead to the story...
"Throw a rock in Japan and there's a good chance that it will hit a vending machine. Their population currently stands at a whopping 5.51 million machines. And then there's the selection to choose from, ranging from coffee, alcohol and cigarettes to umbrellas, fresh vegetables and canned bread. Take a stroll with us past some of the more unusual examples of Japan's sidewalk vendors." Read story >>
ready-to-eat canned Ramen noodles to be the next hot vending-machine item in Akihabara.

Tags: japan, vending machines