Vending

Japan vending machines broadcast disaster information

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January 31, 2023

Emergency broadcasts will soon alert people about disasters from a vending machine in Setagaya Ward, one of about 30 such machines in Japan, according to a report in The Mainichi.

Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc. affixed a radio using magnets to the top of the machine. The radio will alert ward residents about earthquakes and will transmit evacuation and other information from the FM Steagaya community radio station.

The broadcasts will be audible at up to 100 meters. Equipped with internal batteries, the machine will be able to work for about two days in the event of a power outage.

The machine could also transmit information about other disasters such as fires, suspicious people, missing children and more.

Suzuka Community Co., a Suzuka,Mie Prefecture real estate company that manages the Suzuka FM radio station, suggested the radio equipped machine.

About 30 stations nationwide have set up the machines.