Photo: Hot coffee from a Japanese vending machine
"In 1973, the Japanese upstart Pokka developed the first vending machine to sell hot drinks....Today, some 3.8 million vending machines line Japan’s streets, or about 1 for every 33 people, according to the Japan Vending Machine Manufacturers Association..."
Source: One Obstacle Won’t Budge in Japan’s Fight With Deflation
By HIROKO TABUCHI,
Published: May 31, 2013,