[Introduction] In most countries, vending machines are locked in cages to prevent theft. In Japan, over 4 million of them sit unguarded on street corners, functioning as "safes" filled with cash and products. Why aren't they vandalized? Dr. Fujita decodes the "Vending Machine Empire," revealing how these glowing boxes serve as monuments to public safety, eco-friendly engineering marvels, and critical disaster infrastructure that saves lives during earthquakes.

[What You'll Learn]

• Monuments of Peace: Why the existence of unguarded machines acts as a visible index of Japan's public safety.
• Hot & Cold Magic: The "Heat Pump" technology that allows hot corn soup and cold cola to exist side-by-side.
• The Frozen Revolution: How you can now buy restaurant-quality ramen, dumplings, and even sashimi 24/7.
• The "Atari" System: The gamification of shopping where you can win a free drink via a digital roulette.
• Guardians of the Street: How machines automatically unlock to provide free food and water during natural disasters.

[About the Podcast] Dr. Fujita, an AI Consultant based in Tokyo, analyzes the logic behind Japanese business and culture. This isn't a sightseeing guide—it's an intellectual journey to decode the "True Japan."

[Topics] Vending Machines, Jidohanbaiki, Japan Travel, Public Safety, Technology, Heat Pump, Cashless Payment, Disaster Infrastructure, Corn Soup, Ramen, Japanese Culture