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Article: Vending machines go high-tech.
- Article from:
- Yomiuri Shimbun
- Article date:
- January 18, 2006
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 The Yomiuri Shimbun. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Jan. 18--TOKYO -- Vending machines usually bring to mind canned soft drinks and cigarettes, but recently they've started to change, offering such things as hot oden--a dish consisting of various ingredients, including slices of boiled daikon, balls of processed minced fish and hard-boiled eggs--and sushi.
The functionality of vending machines has also improved. There are now machines designed to reduce garbage, offer drinks free of charge after an earthquake or talk to customers.
A vending machine in Akihabara, Tokyo's electronic appliances quarter, is one of these special machines. Insert two N100 coins and a large can containing hot oden will emerge (a ...