Most Japanese innovations make more sense when you think about the implications of a rapidly shrinking labor force. One person can service many vending machines

Most Japanese innovations make more sense when you think about the implications of a rapidly shrinking labor force. One person can service many vending machines, whereas stores need to be one person at least. One interesting thing is that as Japanese rural train services disappear due to becoming unaffordable when the countryside empties out, the bus services meant to replace them also have issues finding bus drivers.