SKIRMISHER

The vending machines issued by Japan’s Apex Corp. will begin giving free coffee and soft drinks in June — but only after users are made to watch a 30-second commercial.

They’re calling this new revenue-earning scheme “Medicafe,” and it sounds good already except it’s going to be available only in Japan.

Customers can select a drink on the 19-inch liquid crystal display screen built into the vending machines.

While waiting for the drink to fill up the cup, which takes about 30 seconds, they will watch an ad being played on the screen. The same sponsor’s ad will be printed on the paper cup.

The service will first be tried out with several dozen machines.

If ad revenue increases, Apex hopes to gradually spread the service to the 35,000 cup vending machines it currently operates nationwide.

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