Vending machines offer plenty in Japan

[Taro Toporific]

KRT Wire | 01/24/2006
...Vending machines that sell alcohol are gradually being replaced by models capable of checking the age of a customer by scanning a form of ID, such as a driver's license, thereby preventing minors from buying spirits....
In 2008, cigarette vending machines equipped with a system that can verify the age of a customer by reading a data card - issued to only adults - will be introduced....
Tsutomu Washizu, 61, who authored a book titled "Jido Hanbaiki no Bunka (The Culture of Vending Machines)" said...
"But it could lead to a culture of disposability, leading people to discard things when and wherever they want. Vending machines can make our life convenient, but they can also ruin our lifestyles," he said.

[otakuden]

i doubt a beer vending machine in the US would ever offer anything decent that i would want to drink since i'm a beer snob. but, i would love to see more coffee (hot and cold) and juice vending machines. twould be cool