Japan is bracing for rage against the vending machine
Japan faces vending machine issues due to new banknotes with 3D holograms. 80% of machines need upgrades. Cash remains vital despite cashless trends. Travelers should check bill compatibility during transition.
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Japan is facing issues with its vending machines as the country introduces new banknotes that many machines cannot accept. Approximately 80% of Japan's vending machines will require upgrades to accommodate the new notes, which feature high-tech security features like 3D holograms of historic figures. This situation arises as Japan, known for its love of cash, starts issuing new banknotes to combat counterfeit money. Despite the growing trend towards cashless payments, the Bank of Japan anticipates that cash will remain essential in the economy. The need for upgrades in vending machines, restaurant machines, and parking-ticket machines to accept the new banknotes will require time and investment. Travelers to Japan, especially those relying on vending machines, are advised to ensure their bills are compatible with the machines due to this transition.
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6 commentsI'm all for carrying cash, but clearly it's not the case that you can use it anywhere at any time, if 80% of the vending machines in the country won't accept these new bills. When and if these machines get replaced, it would make sense for them to accept both cash and cards. If that happens, you'd think it would only accelerate the move away from cash in Japan.
In the US, when they came out with the "gold" dollars, they did extensive testing to make sure they would work in the machines just like the old SBA Dollars. I think the same was true when they change the design of paper money.
But now in the US, it hardly matters since the machines now take Credit Cards. And people in the US tend to live off those cards.
Surely if you're going round and retrofitting all the machines, retrofit them with contactless/suica readers?
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