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Japan is bracing for rage against the vending machine

Japan still loves cash and vending machines, but new banknotes containing hologram technology won't work in many machines without upgrades.

Sure, urban areas like Tokyo and the Kansai region's Osaka are card-friendly, but carrying physical yen is recommended when venturing beyond major cities. The issue is that Japan's retro machines aren't designed to process the new notes, which have high-tech specs incorporated to help determine authenticity. SOPA Images/Getty Images In April, the Bank of Japan said that despite the growth in cashless payments, it expects "the demand for cash, which can be readily used by anyone, anywhere, and at any time," will continue to play a significant role in the economy.

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