Article: Vending machines offer plenty in Japan.

TOKYO _ Vending machines usually bring to mind canned soft drinks and cigarettes, but in Japan recently they've started to change, offering such things as hot oden _ a dish including slices of boiled daikon, balls of processed minced fish and hard-boiled eggs _ and sushi.

The uses of vending machines in Japan have increased. 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 100-yen coins and a large can containing hot oden will emerge (a can of oden including beef sinew ...

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