Lights out for Tokyo's vending machines following earthquake
TOKYO —
The soft drink and beverage industry has initiated a scheme to switch off vending machine lights 24 hours a day in Tokyo and earthquake-affected areas. The scheme is a response to power shortages following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit northeastern Japan last week, and the ensuing rolling power blackouts.
Suntory Holdings has announced a plan to cease the heating of warm drinks in its machines, thereby reducing their overall power consumption by 25%.
According to one industry spokesman, of the 2.5 million soft drink vending machines across Japan, as many as 1 million are to be targeted in the new electricity saving campaign.
As of 2009, the soft drinks industry has been striving to ensure that indoor vending machines keep their lights switched off 24 hours a day. In the current climate, the industry is planning to issue guidelines that instruct vending machine owners in affected areas to ensure that all vending machines, including those outdoors, stay unlit 24 hours a day.
An industry spokesperson said that in cases where it is deemed necessary to illuminate vending machines in order to prevent theft and vandalism, owners will be consulted.
Compiled from news reports
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Maria
Seems like a good thing to do all the time. 25% reduction, for chrissakes!
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haruka
When lights off not sure if machine is good and not put money in. Sales down bad.
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Zenny11
During blackouts machine, combini, etc don't work, worse for sales and thirsty people. ;)
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The758
That's a good one. This is Japan we're talking about, not America
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