Anything, at the push of a button

Vending machines are an intricate part of life in Japan. It is generally hard to go more than a block or two in residential areas without seeing their iridescent glow. In business or entertainment areas, it is hard to go even a few feet without hearing their hum. Even the peak of Japan’s most revered mountain, Mt. Fuji, is topped with the machines. Anything and everything is available for purchase from them as well.

In a major hotel in Shibuya – a trendy area of shopping, offices, bars, restaurants, hotels, clubs, more shopping, karaoke, massage parlors, other adult entertainment venues, and more shopping – there is an enormous vending machine that is, in effect, a convenience store without the pimply teenage cashier. From this contraption guests of the hotel, or anyone who wanders through the lobby, can purchase the typical cans of coffee or other soft drinks, prepared sandwiches and other foods, fruit, toiletries, batteries, portable phone chargers, socks, new underwear...and the list goes on.

Out on the streets the offerings tend to be a bit more selective, as necessitated by the spatial limitations of the machines. Soft drink machines are omnipresent, as would be expected, as are cigarette machines. Japan is still a country in which close to half the population smokes. Still other machines offer alcoholic beverages of various description and quality. Beer machines are a not uncommon site, offering the standard brews, as well as hopposhu (a reduced malt, beer-like abomination in a variety of flavors – more on that another time). Some machines offer sake, Japanese rice wine, of dubious quality and Japanese whisky. A more rare variety of machine distributes pornographic magazines and videos; some go so far as to sell previously worn women’s underwear.

Such selection in the States would be every high school boy's dream. No more awkward trips to the 7-11 for red-faced purchases of “reading material”. No more nervous anticipation as the liquor store clerk asks questions about why a 25 year old from Wisconsin is wearing a high school football jacket and driving a car with a sticker that says “Class of ‘03” on the back window.

Unlike debate in the U.S. about how to control the sale of cigarettes from vending machines so that those under 18 cannot get to them, there is little debate of that kind in Tokyo, although it is increasing. However, rather than come from politicians or pressure groups, the debate is being brought up and simultaneously preempted by the vending machine makers and the companies that sell their drinks through them. Designs are being tested that would require the purchaser to insert an identification card into the machine for alcohol or other controlled substances to be bought. Others are designed to accept a signal from a mobile phone, both as proof of age and of payment. How effective these designs will be in curbing use by minors remains to be seen.

But whatever changes the vending machine industry comes up with, there is little chance that the machines will disappear. After all, one gets thirsty climbing mountains.