Japan has a long history of innovation in vending machines, particularly in the beverage industry. Beverage vending machines were first introduced in Japan in 1957. However, they gained significant popularity in 1962 when Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Vendo manufactured them for Tokyo Coca-Cola, resulting in 880 units being installed nationwide.
By 1973, the innovation of selling hot drinks through vending machines was introduced, revolutionizing the market with machines capable of switching from dispensing cold beverages in the summer to hot ones in the winter. This was further enhanced in 1977 when vending machines that could simultaneously offer both hot and cold drinks hit the market, offering unparalleled convenience to consumers. Since 2002, vending machines with cashless functions have been installed across the country.
