Tens of thousands of vending machines are vanishing from Japan, as machines that once symbolised the nation’s love of innovation are shunned in a climate of rising inflation and deepening labour ...

From hot canned coffee and corn soup to highballs, dashi, and even gyoza, Japan’s vending machines offer a fascinating look at everyday eating across the country.

That 1970s retrofuturistic model known as the Ultrasonic Bath (but was more lovingly referred to as the "human washing machine") was a huge hit when it was showcased at the Expo by Sanyo – but it's ...

In January 2026, households in several Japanese municipalities began testing a water system that connects to no municipal pipe. The units, installed next to washing machines, filter and recirculate ...