A Japanese city has introduced vending machines that will open in case of earthquakes and other natural disasters, offering free food and emergency supplies to people.
Two machines were installed as a trial run near evacuation shelters, in the city of Ako, Hyogo Prefecture, since the city is vulnerable to powerful earthquakes, according to seismologists.
The machines that usually sell snacks and beverages, will provide free emergency supplies in the case of emergency earthquakes or typhoons. In addition, the machine contains around 300 soda bottles and 150 emergency food items, nutritional supplements, and sanitary items like portable toilets and masks.
The machine is set to unlock when a level 5 or higher evacuation order on Japan's Shindo seismic scale is issued, such as during heavy rains.
The emergency vending machine is a partnership between Earth Corp., a Tokyo-based pharmaceutical firm, and the municipality.
Being one of the most seismically active countries, an Earth Corp. representative said, “We would like to install [the machines] throughout the country.”