Readers’ Corner: The Vending Machine Champion of the World
Japan is the vending machine champion of the world. Japan’s first vending machine was made in 1904, and it sold postcards and stamps. Today, there are more than 4 million machines throughout the country, and sales are the highest in the world. This is because people in Japan live close together, they walk and cycle a lot, and there isn’t much vandalism. More than half of the machines sell drinks. Machines that provide services such as coin lockers are second at 32%. Machines selling items such as combs and toothbrushes are third at 5.2%, and 1.7% of the machines sell food. Vending machines also respond to the needs of customers. For example, during the Coronavirus pandemic, vending machines sold a lot of surgical masks. These days, vending machines are also selling disposable diapers and baby wet wipes. (137 words) Jaremaga now comes out online on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. To become a paid subscriber and read it 5 days a week, go to “Support Jaremaga” below for more information. You can send