Of All Involved

Now, what do you expect from a Japanese cigarette vending machine?

Clean, efficient and unobtrusive?

Yes, of course, but you've missed one very important point:

And that is, of course, a slightly ironically-inappropriate Jinglish name, such as Black-Impact:
　


　
I counted the types of packets in a machine yesterday (I'm unemployed).

There were thirty-eight.

Anyway, there is one thing you still haven't thought of.

And that is....


　
An electronic touch-reader age verification system!

You didn't expect the Japanese to let an opportunity for high-technology improvement of society to slip by, did you?

Be honest.

You have to be 20 to buy cigarettes in Japan. This card makes sure you're at least 20. Oh yeah, or know someone who is at least 20. Oh, and you could have stolen a wallet from someone who is over 20.

If you think theft doesn't happen in Japan, then unfortunately you are dead wrong.

In an interview with KFC staff in Nagoya on the TV channel I was watching yesterday daytime, it was revealed that in ten years of service, the Colonel's umbrella was ... how can I put this ... STOLEN! Yes. And in that same period his glasses were stolen TWICE! They had to resort to loosely tying both to the fat plastic body.

Now, the Taspo website says " The Japan Tobacco Retailers Cooperative Association aims to work with all affiliates and union members to improve the operations and economic activities of tobacco retailers, for the economic and social improvement of all involved. "

And that, as far as I can tell, is what Japan is all about - the economic and social improvement of all involved.