Preparations for 2026 Asian Games

Preparations for 2026 Asian Games

An officer checks a vending machine in a high-speed ferry with a security dog at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, on Dec. 26, 2025, as the police and the Japan Coast Guard jointly tighten security ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in the central Japan prefecture.

Trenitalia railway line in Paris FA

Trenitalia railway line in Paris FA

This photograph shows a vending machine for Trenitalia railway line at Gare de Lyon railway station in Paris on September 3, 2025. Photo by Firas Abdullah/ABACAPRESS.COM

Trenitalia railway line in Paris FA

Trenitalia railway line in Paris FA

This photograph shows a vending machine for Trenitalia railway line at Gare de Lyon railway station in Paris on September 3, 2025. Photo by Firas Abdullah/ABACAPRESS.COM

Trenitalia railway line in Paris FA

Trenitalia railway line in Paris FA

This photograph shows a vending machine for Trenitalia railway line at Gare de Lyon railway station in Paris on September 3, 2025. Photo by Firas Abdullah/ABACAPRESS.COM

Trenitalia railway line in Paris FA

Trenitalia railway line in Paris FA

This photograph shows a vending machine for Trenitalia railway line at Gare de Lyon railway station in Paris on September 3, 2025. Photo by Firas Abdullah/ABACAPRESS.COM

Trenitalia railway line in Paris FA

Trenitalia railway line in Paris FA

This photograph shows a vending machine for Trenitalia railway line at Gare de Lyon railway station in Paris on September 3, 2025. Photo by Firas Abdullah/ABACAPRESS.COM

Russian troops attack Kharkiv with ballistic missiles

Russian troops attack Kharkiv with ballistic missiles

A drinking water vending machine is damaged by a Russian ballistic missile attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on April 18, 2025. Russian troops attacked Kharkiv with three ballistic missiles at dawn on Friday, April 18. The missile attack injured 87 people, including six children. Seventeen people were admitted to local hospitals, including a four-year-old girl, a one-year-old boy, and a 14-year-old girl. Currently, three of the injured are in critical condition. One person died. (Photo by Viacheslav Madiievskyi/Ukrinform)

Prypiat River Station

Prypiat River Station

Old carbonated water vending machines are at the Prypiat River Station in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, Prypiat, Kyiv region, Ukraine, on April 12, 2025. (Photo by Volodymyr Tarasov/Ukrinform)

Deposit packaging

Deposit packaging

12.11.2024, Paide A new reverse vending machine. It enables to pour in entire bags of containers rather than inserting the containers one by one, for a faster and more convenient recycling experience, that also avoids sticky hands. Photo: Dmitri Kotjuh / Järva Teataja

Deposit packaging

Deposit packaging

12.11.2024, Paide A new reverse vending machine. It enables to pour in entire bags of containers rather than inserting the containers one by one, for a faster and more convenient recycling experience, that also avoids sticky hands. Photo: Dmitri Kotjuh / Järva Teataja

Deposit packaging

Deposit packaging

12.11.2024, Paide A new reverse vending machine. It enables to pour in entire bags of containers rather than inserting the containers one by one, for a faster and more convenient recycling experience, that also avoids sticky hands. Photo: Dmitri Kotjuh / Järva Teataja

Deposit packaging

Deposit packaging

12.11.2024, Paide A new reverse vending machine. It enables to pour in entire bags of containers rather than inserting the containers one by one, for a faster and more convenient recycling experience, that also avoids sticky hands. Photo: Dmitri Kotjuh / Järva Teataja

2024 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing

2024 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing

A girl plays with the ball near the self-driving vending machine outside the diamond court during the 2024 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, capital of China, September 28, 2024 . Photo byWang Lili/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

2024 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing

2024 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing

Spectators use the self-driving vending machine outside the diamond court during the 2024 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, capital of China, September 28, 2024 . Photo byWang Lili/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration Switzerland

Illustration Switzerland

A self-service sports equipment vending machine in a residential area of Lancy, Switzerland on June 18, 2024. Photo by Laurent Coust/ABACAPRESS.COM

CHINA-BEIJING-U.S. MOVIE-"CIVIL WAR" (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-U.S. MOVIE-"CIVIL WAR" (CN)

(240607) -- BEIJING, June 7, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- This photo taken with a mobile phone shows a man taking his ticket from a ticket vending machine at a cinema in Beijing, capital of China, June 7, 2024. TO GO WITH "Roundup: U.S. movie "Civil War" premieres in China amid wide anticipation" Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Shen Anni)

CHINA-BEIJING-U.S. MOVIE-"CIVIL WAR" (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-U.S. MOVIE-"CIVIL WAR" (CN)

(240607) -- BEIJING, June 7, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken with a mobile phone shows a man taking his ticket from a ticket vending machine at a cinema in Beijing, capital of China, June 7, 2024. TO GO WITH "Roundup: U.S. movie "Civil War" premieres in China amid wide anticipation" (Xinhua/Shen Anni)

Perfume spraying vending machine

Perfume spraying vending machine

18.03.2024, Tallinn. A unique vending machine for perfume dispensing at Tallinn Bus station. Photo: Konstantin Sednev / Postimees

Perfume spraying vending machine

Perfume spraying vending machine

18.03.2024, Tallinn. A unique vending machine for perfume dispensing at Tallinn Bus station. Photo: Konstantin Sednev / Postimees

Perfume spraying vending machine

Perfume spraying vending machine

18.03.2024, Tallinn. A unique vending machine for perfume dispensing at Tallinn Bus station. Photo: Konstantin Sednev / Postimees

Perfume spraying vending machine

Perfume spraying vending machine

18.03.2024, Tallinn. A unique vending machine for perfume dispensing at Tallinn Bus station. Photo: Konstantin Sednev / Postimees

Vending machine selling blowfish

Vending machine selling blowfish

Photo taken on Dec. 14, 2023, shows a vending machine set at a facility adjacent to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, selling frozen sliced local blowfish and porgy as a souvenir or meal on a train.

Vending machine selling blowfish

Vending machine selling blowfish

Photo taken on Dec. 14, 2023, shows a vending machine set at a facility adjacent to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, selling frozen sliced local blowfish and porgy as a souvenir or meal on a train.

CBD Vending Machine - Castelnaudary

CBD Vending Machine - Castelnaudary

A CBD vending machine is seen in Castelnaudary, south west of France on December 28, 2023. Automated machines in Europe are spreading to more and more sectors, as they offer a cheap and convenient around-the-clock service as in France where a business offering a variety of CBD marijuana products via outdoor vending machines. Photo by JMP/ABACAPRESS.COM

CBD Vending Machine - Castelnaudary

CBD Vending Machine - Castelnaudary

A CBD vending machine is seen in Castelnaudary, south west of France on December 28, 2023. Automated machines in Europe are spreading to more and more sectors, as they offer a cheap and convenient around-the-clock service as in France where a business offering a variety of CBD marijuana products via outdoor vending machines. Photo by JMP/ABACAPRESS.COM

CBD Vending Machine - Castelnaudary

CBD Vending Machine - Castelnaudary

A CBD vending machine is seen in Castelnaudary, south west of France on December 28, 2023. Automated machines in Europe are spreading to more and more sectors, as they offer a cheap and convenient around-the-clock service as in France where a business offering a variety of CBD marijuana products via outdoor vending machines. Photo by JMP/ABACAPRESS.COM

Views Of Turin - Italy

Views Of Turin - Italy

A customer buys "my secret weed" brand CBD from a vending machine in Turin, Italy on December 23, 2023. Photo by Laurent Coust/BACAPRESS.COM.

Laixi-Rongcheng High-speed Railway

Laixi-Rongcheng High-speed Railway

YANTAI, CHINA - DECEMBER 8, 2023 - Passengers buy tickets through a vending machine at Haiyang Railway Station in East China's Shandong province, Dec 8, 2023.

2023 Beijing Water Exhibition

2023 Beijing Water Exhibition

BEIJING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 20, 2023 - Visitors visit a community vending machine at the 2023 Beijing Water Show in Beijing, China, Nov. 20, 2023.

2023 Beijing Water Exhibition

2023 Beijing Water Exhibition

BEIJING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 20, 2023 - Visitors visit a community vending machine at the 2023 Beijing Water Show in Beijing, China, Nov. 20, 2023.

2023 Beijing Water Exhibition

2023 Beijing Water Exhibition

BEIJING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 20, 2023 - Visitors visit a community vending machine at the 2023 Beijing Water Show in Beijing, China, Nov. 20, 2023.

ITALY-CHINA-CIIE-PARTNERSHIPS

ITALY-CHINA-CIIE-PARTNERSHIPS

(231029) -- ROME, Oct. 29, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A vending machine produced by Italy's Rhea Vendors Group is showcased in Milan, Italy, Oct. 17, 2023. TO GO WITH "Interview: Marketing director says CIIE a significant platform for forging partnerships" (Xinhua/Zhou Xiaotian)

Reverse vending machine

Reverse vending machine

18.07.2023, Viljandi Reverse vending machines provide an automated method for collecting, sorting and handling the return of used beverage containers for recycling or reuse. Foto: Jan Randar Raidma/Sakala

Reverse vending machine

Reverse vending machine

18.07.2023, Viljandi Reverse vending machines provide an automated method for collecting, sorting and handling the return of used beverage containers for recycling or reuse. Foto: Jan Randar Raidma/Sakala

FRANCE-PARIS-VIVATECH

FRANCE-PARIS-VIVATECH

(230616) -- PARIS, June 16, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A food-vending machine is seen at the VivaTech technology start-ups and innovation fair in Paris, France, June 15, 2023. The 2023 VivaTech technology start-ups and innovation fair kicked off here on Wednesday, and will last until Saturday, attracting more than 2,500 exhibitors. VivaTech is the world's rendezvous for start-ups and leaders to celebrate innovation and the power of technology in transforming business and society. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

CHINA-BEIJING-BRAZILIAN STUDENTS (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-BRAZILIAN STUDENTS (CN)

(230415) -- BEIJING, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Maria (R) scans a QR code on a vending machine at the Yenching Academy of Peking University in Beijing, capital of China, April 13, 2023. Maria Eduarda Variani, Rafaela Viana dos Santos, Manuela Boiteux Pestana, and Marco Andre Rocha Germano are Brazilian students studying in the Master of China Studies program at the Yenching Academy of Peking University in China. The four of them have been interested in Chinese culture since they were young. After arriving in Beijing, they have been impressed by the Chinese capital's profound cultural heritage, convenient public services, and fabulous cityscape. While making Chinese friends and learning about Chinese culture, they also participate in intercultural exchanges with other international students. "Studying at Peking University gives me the chance to have a deeper understanding of Chinese history, tradition, and living customs," said Manuela. In the view of the four Brazilian students, China and Brazil

New Year's greeting with can of Coke

New Year's greeting with can of Coke

TOKYO, Japan - Coca-Cola Japan Co. announces the launch of a New Year's greeting card providing a can of Coca-Cola for free in Tokyo on Oct. 30, 2014. The card is incorporated with a microchip that detect a vending machine.

Tree frog on vending machine

Tree frog on vending machine

OSAKA, Japan - A tree frog is seen waiting to catch bugs attracted to lights on a vending machine in Inagawa Town, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, in this undated photo.

Urban Animal Album

Urban Animal Album

OSAKA, Japan - A tree frog holds fast to a vending machine as it waits for prey on Aug. 23, 2013 in the town of Inagawa in Hyogo Prefecture.

"Kawaii" goods in Singapore

"Kawaii" goods in Singapore

SINGAPORE, Singapore - Photo shows a vending machine in Singapore on Feb. 14, 2014, through which Japanese fashion brand and retailer Satisfaction Guaranteed plans to sell Japanese products, mainly "kawaii" or cute goods usually associated with Japan.

Japan Tobacco to undertake drastic restructuring

Japan Tobacco to undertake drastic restructuring

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Tobacco Co. Vice President Akira Saeki speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Oct. 30, 2013, as the company said it will close four of its nine cigarette manufacturing-related factories in Japan and a vending machine production base, most of them in March 2015, and cut 1,600 jobs, or about 20 percent of the employees in its tobacco business, due to falling sales.

4-language ticket vending machines

4-language ticket vending machines

FUKUOKA, Japan - A subway worker points to a vending machine offering Chinese and Korean language options on its touch-screen ticket vending machines in addition to Japanese and English at a station of Fukuoka City's municipal subway system on Sept. 11, 2012.

Google to launch 'electronic wallet' in U.S.

Google to launch 'electronic wallet' in U.S.

NEW YORK, United States - A person demonstrates an electronic payment function of a smartphone at a vending machine in New York on May 26, 2011. Google Inc. said it will launch in the United States this summer the mobile payment system enabling users to buy merchandise by scanning their smartphones at reading terminals of participating retail outlets.

Too many vending machines?

Too many vending machines?

TOKYO, Japan - A man buys a beverage from a vending machine in Tokyo on May 21, 2011. Nongovernmental groups and local authorities are taking actions to reduce the number of vending machines operating in the country -- about 5.2 million -- following moves by the industry and households to conserve power to cope with Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s damaged power supply capacity.

'Maid' girls tour helps Akihabara newcomers

'Maid' girls tour helps Akihabara newcomers

TOKYO, Japan - An Akihabara tour guide who calls herself Minezaki demonstrates how to use the Gachapon toy vending machine during a two-hour 2,980 yen tour of Tokyo's Akihabara district on Oct. 19, 2010.

Banana vending machine in Tokyo

Banana vending machine in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - A spokeswomen for Dole Japan Ltd. holds bananas sold at the vending machine in Tokyo's Shibuya district on July 21, 2010. The machine has sold more than 2,500 bananas since it was installed in late June.

(1)New cigarette vending machines check age of buyers

(1)New cigarette vending machines check age of buyers

NAKATANE, Japan - A buyer holds up an IC card against a cigarette vending machine's scanner in the town of Nakatane, Kagoshima Prefecture.

3 groups to develop tobacco vending machines for adults only

3 groups to develop tobacco vending machines for adults only

TOKYO, Japan - An official demonstrates the prototype of a new tobacco vending machine that will use an IC card to verify purchasers' age in order to prevent minors from buying cigarettes. The Tobacco Institute of Japan, the Japan Tobacconist Federation and the Japan Vending Machine Manufacturers Association said in Tokyo on Nov. 12 they plan to equip all cigarette vending machines nationwide with such verification abilities by 2008.

NTT let i-mode users buy soft drinks, services without cash

NTT let i-mode users buy soft drinks, services without cash

TOKYO, Japan - A woman demonstrates in Tokyo on Sept. 3 how to buy a soft drink from a special vending machine using an ''i-mode'' Internet-capable mobile phone. NTT DoCoMo Inc. began a trial service to allow users of ''i-mode'' phones to buy soft drinks and get discount tickets for various services from special vending machines, called ''Cmo,'' by using i-mode terminals as a sort of prepaid card.

3 firms unveil new vending machine linked to 'i-mode' service

3 firms unveil new vending machine linked to 'i-mode' service

TOKYO, Japan - A woman tries on a new type of automatic vending machine equipped with telecommunication terminals linked to NTT DoCoMo Inc.'s popular ''i-mode'' mobile Internet access service at Tokyo hotel Aug. 8. The machine, jointly developed by NTT DoCoMo, Coca-Cola (Japan) Co. and Itochu Corp., enables pre-registered i-mode users to buy drinks, vouchers and other services without paying in cash.