Japan's 'Vending Machine Country': Proof of a safe society and the fun behind it

Japan has the highest number of vending machines per capita in the world and that reflects some interesting facts about the country.

One of the first things that visitors to Japan realize about the land of the rising sun is that cities have an unexpectedly large number of vending machines. Although it has decreased by more than 1 million machines in the past decade, the number of vending machines in Japan as of 2021 will still be 4 million - the highest density per capita in the world.

Vending machines have become very popular in Japan.

The vending machine has become so popular and so ingrained in Japanese life that it presents many interesting aspects of Japanese culture. But why are the Japanese so "loved" by vending machines and what does it reveal about the people of Japan?

Proof of a safe country

According to Insider, Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Besides serious crimes, the country also has a low theft rate.

While there is still debate as to the real reason why the crime rate is so low here, one thing is for sure, vandalism or property-related crimes are very rare. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, vending machines are "very rarely broken or stolen" despite the piles of cash inside and located in dark alleys or empty areas.

There are many vending machines in Japan, but the number of thefts is very small.

Not to mention that although the number of vending machines present in the country is immense, the number of thefts occurring is still very small. For comparison, as Insider reports, vending machine companies in the US don't even think about installing machines on the side of the road like in Japan due to fear of falling prey to criminals.

"Savior" of office people

One reason that explains the popularity of vending machines in Japan is how the machines allow customers to shop quickly and thus meet the needs of Japan's busy workforce. In particular, it is very convenient to quickly buy a dish or coffee on the way to work when they just need to cross the road without entering the store, especially if they have to queue and wait for processing. Furthermore, they are available 24/7.

There is a correlation between the number of office workers and the number of vending machines installed.

This is evident in prefectures such as Tokyo and Aichi, for example, where the number of vending machines installed is particularly high. Both prefectures are home to Japan's largest economies and have the highest rates of overtime per day for office workers. In other words, there is a correlation between the number of busy office workers and the number of vending machines installed.

A "national" business

The "national" business here is not that everyone can do it, but simply because anyone can do it. The popularity of vending machines is also related to the strategy of their manufacturers, with the aim of expanding sales. When vending machines were first introduced, stores that wanted to install one had to buy one outright for about 1 million yen (170 million VND).

In fact, today, anyone can install a vending machine in Japan.

However, the considerable financial burden on the buyer made it difficult for vending machines to become popular at first. To remedy that situation, vending machine manufacturers started to rent out machines for free initially. As a result, the number of vending machines installed skyrocketed, and they began to cover the whole country.

In fact, today, anyone can install a vending machine in Japan by contacting the vending machine manufacturer and asking for permission. After installation, the manufacturer will take care of all maintenance and inspection work, including product loading and toll collection, and a portion of the revenue will be collected by them.

Since no special qualifications are required, anyone can easily create a new source of income just by installing a vending machine. Thus, in a way, the number of vending machines installed in the country has increased as office workers in Japan have begun to treat this as a side business.

Meticulousness in every smallest action

One of the essential factors that have driven the popularity of vending machines is their management and operation systems. As more vending machines are installed, the risk of littering also increases. So how does Japan manage this situation and keep their cities clean?

The essential factor that has driven the popularity of vending machines is their management and operation systems.

This is all thanks to a thorough management system implemented by the companies responsible for installing the vending machines. These companies manage their machines so that they function properly and hygienically, such as placing trash cans next to them, emptying them periodically, replenishing products, and checking and repairing them to make sure there are no defects. system.

It is no exaggeration to say that vending machines have become popular in Japan thanks to the invisible efforts of the companies that manage them and the quietly dedicated cleaning staff.

Obsession with cash

Although a country with many innovations and inventions, the Japanese are also famous for their conservatism in technology when they still use fax machines, desk phones or the "unique" form of payment is cash. Part of the reason for this is the country's aging population - almost 30% of the population is over the age of 65.

 The use of banknotes and coins to buy goods is still common.

This is also reflected in the number of vending machines in Japan. Although some machines have accepted more modern forms of payment, it is still common practice to use paper money and coins to make purchases.