The Mighty Vending Machines of Japan

Now this is civilized. Japan leads the way in automation and robots because of their own demographic collapse – so few young people to do the counter work and sweep up — and it shows out on the street and in the train stations. We still have cigarette machines in the US — for now — but my goodness, good luck trying to find liquor when the bars are closed or when you’re waiting for a train.  

 Other favorites:

• Automated rice cleaner, for the rice farmer who needs their rice cleaned NOW!
• Rhinoceros  beetles, for when you need a pet in a pinch, and can’t wait until the dog breeder supermarts open. But be careful how you pinch.
• Vending machines outside a convenience store. Overkill? No way. Godzilla-style convenience.

Civilized or decadent? I’ll have no comment on some of the more risqué entries. Japan has some kind of cultural tic regarding schoolgirls. Most horror films from there feature them in some way.

But if I ever wanted to live in a country where I wouldn’t have to trek down to the carbon dioxide plant for my dry ice,  Japan would be it.