Although you may see them in the UK, vending drinks and sweets (perhaps other items in the lobbies of cheap hotels) and other items in the toilets (although the cigarette machines that used to be in most pubs when I was growing up have disappeared), they are most common in Japan, where there are thought to be over 4 million of them.
The first Japanese patent was filed in 1888 by a man named Koshichi Tawaraya for a wooden “automatic goods vending machine” that sold tobacco. Such is his legacy that 21 March, his birthday, is now unofficially celebrated as Vending Machine Day in Japan.I recommend that you try to catch the 2023 Wim Wenders' film 'Perfect Days'.
This is set in Tokyo. The lead character starts his day by getting several cans from vending machines outside the flat where he lives before heading off for his job cleaning public toilets. He buys canned coffee.
The world's first canned coffee was a Japanese invention dating back to 1969, sold by UCC Ueshima Coffee Co in hot or cold versions.
Food gives rhythm to the narrative of the film.
My review of the film is over on my Geography in/on Film blog - check it out if you haven't already - there are hundreds of posts on the blog.
Lunch is made up of sandwiches - an American influence, eaten in a park under a tree.
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