Japanese beverage giant, Dydo Holdings, has announced plans to remove 20,000 of its vending machines across Japan. The move is a strategic bid to mitigate costs in response to Japan’s declining population and consumer buying habits. The phasing out process will begin this financial year. The company also hopes it can offset some environmental impact with this decision.

Vending machines are ubiquitous in Japan, home to an estimated 5 million units. They are part of the nation's culture and a testament to the high level of safety that allows machines to be unattended. However, Japan's declining population and shifting consumer behavior have challenged this market. Companies are now forced to reconsider their strategies as they navigate changes in expenditure due to dwindling customer activity. Environmental consciousness is also growing among Japanese citizens, making some amenable to these reductions.

In the US and EU, vending machines are not as prevalent as in Japan, but are still common in public spaces and workplaces. Reducing the number of vending machines to cut costs and lighten environmental impact would also be considered quite reasonable in these regions.