How Innovation Is Saving Japan’s Vending Machine Empire Japan's ubiquitous vending machines, known as "jidohanbaiki" or "jihanki," have long been a symbol of the country's innovative spirit and convenience driven culture.
However, beneath their gleaming surfaces, these rectangular fixtures are facing an existential crisis.
The traditional beverage vending machine market has shrunk significantly since its peak in 2014, with a 20% decline in the number of machines and a 40% drop in average sales volume per machine.