Free Drink Vending Machines in Japan

Thirsty Japanese will soon be able to drink coffee or other non-alcoholic beverages at a low price or even for free — as long as they watch a 30-second advertisement on the vending machines.

Vending machine operator Apex Corp. will start a service next month to turn its machines into a new medium for advertisers, who will pick up the partial or full cost of drinks.

060124 japanese drinks vending machine Free Drink Vending Machines in Japan picture

Apex runs 35,000 vending machines across Japan that serve drinks in paper cups, generally priced at 70 to 120 yen (60 cents to one dollar) a cup.

Under the ‘MediCafe’ project, the vending machine will play an advertiser’s video for around the 30 seconds it takes to pour the drink and dispense a paper cup with an advertisement printed on it.

Apex said some of its vending machines are at public places ideal for selective advertising such as supermarkets, amusement parks, office buildings and schools.

(Khaleej Times)

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Sun Tzu has spent about 7 years in Asia traveling through Japan, Hong Kong, China, and Korea. A true fan of everything that is weird and strange, he decides in the end what is displayed and published on this site. Sun has previous experience writing for numerous print mags such…
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10 comments
derp
derp

if they're porn ads, I don't see why this is a bad idea :)

Casey
Casey

Advertisers should know better that the majority of people aren't going to actually watch the ad and I don't see a way that they can truly force them to. Granted I havent looked at the picture yet.

smurf
smurf

I can assure you it is partialy shopped... Just look at the Pepsi bottles and in particular the caps. Shadows to the left are not correct here. That is why the pepsi is upright too I suspect. Definately a photoshop job here.

Photoshop
Photoshop

Yet another loser who claims to know which photo is actually "shopped" or not. Why care so much in life, just learn to appreciate.

Bob you idiot
Bob you idiot

It's not a shop. It's a typical BOSS coffee vending machine at night.

Tingbudong
Tingbudong

Who cares if they photoshopped the image here.. Thats just marketing images. The marketing concept being discussed here it whats really interesting. I think its a great idea. My only neg thought on it is I would prolly feel embarassed if it was set too loud and the whole planet turned to watch me get my drink, then after avoid the machines... There were these talking vending machines for soda etc in the states a while back (18 yrs ago?) they weren't marketing outside products though but they were annoying as shit! Still I think the marketing imagery placed on the cups and a short commercial for my drink is not too invasive and a pretty good trade off. I like it. Put one in my office. Save me a lot on my daily caffiene addiction!

CLH
CLH

I'd pop on my headphones and people watch while I got my free drink (or drinks)

nnY
nnY

What? Why shop a picture of a vending machine? Bob's may be my uncle, but he's still an idiot.

Bob
Bob

'Shopped. The shadows give it away. I hade done some photoshopping myself, so I would know.

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